Roundtable: Questions for Brad Holmes
1.) How do you feel about the Lions’ 2023 season?
Christian Booher: I think the Lions’ 2023 campaign should be viewed as a success. They achieved their goal of winning the NFC North, and in my opinion, overperformed in the playoffs. Going into the season, I expected them to win the division, as well as one playoff game. So, by reaching the NFC Championship Game, the season was a success.
Now, the circumstances in which their season came to an end were unequivocally disappointing. The second-half collapse was a bummer, but it could serve as fuel that could carry the team through next season.
Vito Chirco: Overall wise, it can’t be viewed as anything but a success. Twelve wins, a division championship for the first time in 30 years, a playoff win for the first time in 32 years and two consecutive postseason victories for the first time since 1957. I can go on and on about all the Lions’ great achievements in 2023.
However, none of the above is able to remove the “stink” from Detroit’s second-half collapse and subsequent devastating loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. It was an ugly defeat – and undeniably a blown opportunity to play for the Lombardi Trophy – for the Super Bowl-starved franchise.
Yet, when the 2023 campaign is reviewed 10 years, 20 years and more down the line, I believe it will be remembered, and rightfully so, as one of the best seasons in franchise history.
2.) What is the Lions’ biggest offseason need?
Booher: I believe the secondary should be priority number one for the Lions. Cam Sutton is, I believe, still a solid player. Yet, he proved this year that he cannot match wits with top wide receivers.
As a result, I think the Lions should seek out a legitimate top, shutdown cornerback. The free-agent market is one option, as is the draft. However, if the Lions want the best that the class has to offer, GM Brad Holmes will have to get creative, plus likely move up to land one.
Chirco: There's no doubt to me that it's at cornerback. The Lions cannot afford to go another season with Cam Sutton as their No. 1 cornerback. He struggled all season long with staying in front of opposing teams’ top wideouts, and it played a contributing factor in Detroit's devastating NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers.
Sutton wasn't the only Lions corner that struggled in coverage in 2023, either. The likes of Kindle Vildor, Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris and Khalil Dorsey all also experienced their fair share of struggles with defending opposing teams’ pass-catchers.
Subsequently, Brad Holmes has no choice but to make upgrading the cornerbacks room his No. 1 priority this offseason.
3.) Will Jared Goff get an extension this offseason?
Booher: Yes, I believe that Jared Goff will undoubtedly get a contract extension. He’s earned it from his performance, and he showed that he is capable of leading the team to playoff success.
Going into the season, I thought that in order to really prove his case, he would have to win a playoff game this year. He did that and more, winning two of them. The team fits his skill set, and he has playmakers and a scheme around him to help him be successful.
Chirco: I think it's inevitable that Goff will come to an agreement with the Lions on an extension this offseason.
For starters, the franchise and the city of Detroit have fallen in love with Goff being the team's starting quarterback.
Second, at this point, he's earned the contract with his play on the field. He did everything the Lions needed him to do this past season, leading Detroit to 12 regular season wins, a division title and not one, but two playoff victories.
Third, the organization doesn't have a true alternative to Goff. Teddy Bridgewater has retired and Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick of the Lions in last year’s draft, is far from being ready to take the reins, especially for an organization with Super Bowl aspirations.
So, yes, I see Holmes locking up the 29-year-old signal-caller, with a long-term deal, this coming offseason.
4.) What caused the Lions’ collapse against the 49ers?
Booher: It’s hard to pinpoint one specific element of the second half, as the final two quarters were a perfect storm working against Detroit. The offense made uncharacteristic errors with drops and a fumble, while the defense simply couldn’t slow down the 49ers.
There are also Dan Campbell’s fourth-down decisions. I was okay with the first fourth-down attempt, as the Lions could’ve put the game away on that drive. However, in hindsight, kicking the field goal on the second fourth-down attempt, in the fourth quarter, would’ve been the right decision.
Yet, Campbell’s aggressiveness was part of the reason why the team made it as far as it did. For that reason, it’s hard to argue against his reasoning.
In short, the second-half demise was a mixture of bad luck, bad execution and bad decisions. It all added up to an unforgettable collapse.
Chirco: To me, it was due to a myriad of reasons. Detroit made miscue after miscue in the third quarter, but also was extremely unlucky. From Josh Reynolds’ dropped pass on a fourth-down conversion attempt, to Jahmyr Gibbs’ fumble and a pass deflecting off Kindle Vildor's helmet into the hands of 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the Lions couldn't catch a break to save their lives in the opening quarter of the second half.
Momentum quickly shifted in favor of San Francisco, and Detroit was never able to regain control of it.
It also didn't help that the Lions completely lost contain of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, and lost the ability to make tackles (C.J. Gardner-Johnson was one of the biggest culprits of this). Along with that, Cam Sutton and Vildor were burned all night long in pass coverage.
Then, on fourth-and-3 at the 49ers’ 30-yard line in the fourth quarter, you can definitely argue that Dan Campbell should've opted for a field-goal attempt from Michael Badgley instead of leaving his offense on the field.
So, once again, you can't just place the loss on one thing, or even two things. Simply, Detroit didn't play close to well enough in the second half to beat San Francisco.
5.) What do you want to hear from Brad Holmes next week?
Booher: I want Brad Holmes to be confident in the future of the organization. There is plenty to be excited about, so I want him to fuel that fire with his comments.
Additionally, I want him to commit to continuing to improve the roster. This team is a near Super Bowl contender, but it is not one officially yet. In order to take the next step, it will need to continue to add talent. Holmes needs to commit to that in order to further the momentum he’s built.
Chirco: I would love to hear about Holmes’ offseason plans, specifically what his plan of attack is for free agency, the draft, etc.
At this point, I think the fanbase has heard enough about what happened in 2023, or more specifically what occurred in the NFC Championship Game. And now, it wants to move on and focus on the future of the franchise (which is all about making and winning the Super Bowl).
The future is uncharacteristically bright in the Motor City, and I think Holmes will focus on that in his presser this upcoming week.
