Brad Holmes Wants to Hand Sheila Hamp Lombardi Trophy
The Detroit Lions have received a significant amount of offseason attention from across the NFL landscape.
Pundits, fans and members of the roster are aware of the elevated expectations heading into the 2023 season.
After a disappointing 1-6 start last year, the team rallied around head coach Dan Campbell, and turned its season around. It finished with a 9-8 record, winning eight of 10 games to close out the season.
Speaking at his pre-draft media session, Lions general manager Brad Holmes expressed that principal owner Sheila Hamp is excited and proud regarding the progress the organization has made since the conclusion of the 2022 season.
“I know she’s excited, she’s really excited," said Holmes. "I think she’s really proud of where we are at as an organization, just kind of how the process has gone along since the season ended with that big win up at Green Bay. I know that meant the world to her. Getting the game ball, that was awesome. How free agency went and kind of this process leading up to the draft, she’s excited."
Left tackle Taylor Decker does not want to take anything for granted, though, as he recalls the significant amount of negative attention that was levied against his team due to its poor start.
"I see what people are talking about," said Decker. "I see what people's expectations are for the Lions. But, that is all in theory to me right now. I said it last year towards the end of the season -- we were getting all this love and everything and it's great, but I remember when we got s**t on, because we won three games and people thought we were a joke. That's what I remember, and I don't want to go back to that. So, I'm not going to look forward and kind of like rest on my laurels, because I don't want to go back to that."
Both Campbell and Holmes have worked diligently to bring Detroit a winner. The team, meanwhile, still holds the dubious distinction of having just one playoff win over the last several decades.
"I was talking with her the other day, and I think she’s confident about the place that we’re at right now and heading into this draft," explained Holmes. "It’s always happy to see her excited. Always happy to see her excited. That’s what we do it for. One day, you just want to put that trophy in her hand. That’s what me and Dan (Campbell) are striving to do.”
