With More Salary Cap Space, Lions Could Add 'Bigger Fish'
The Detroit Lions were among the biggest beneficiaries of the increase in salary cap allotted by the NFL last week.
When the new cap was announced, it was higher than initial projections had estimated. As a result, Detroit will have more money to work with during the 2024 NFL offseason.
General manager Brad Holmes has traditionally prioritized adding young talent through the NFL Draft, but he could use the increased money available to add an established veteran to the roster as the Lions look to maximize their competitive window.
Appearing on 97.1 The Ticket's "Costa and Jansen Show With Heather," Holmes played his cards close to the vest, but explained his thought process ahead of the start of free agency in March.
"That's very relative in terms of -- what is a bigger fish? We've kind of kept it pretty strategic and selective in terms of the resources that we've had," Holmes explained. "But, it's very subjective of what you deem a bigger fish. I think I have an idea, because it's the 'name' but again, it's gonna be the same approach that we've always had, because I think I said in that press conference, it's easy to win the headlines. It's easy to win in March. That's easy to win, but man, we're trying to win December, and those are two different perspectives. And, that's how you've gotta plan, and that's how you've got to approach it."
There is some urgency surrounding the organization to capitalize on the 2023 run to the NFC Championship Game. However, Holmes isn't feeling the heat, and won't change his approach to the offseason.
"The reason why I'm more -- no, I don't feel a pressure or urgency. What I said last offseason, I said, we don't want to take any steps backwards," Holmes said. "We want to keep improving, and we're gonna take the same approach. We're not gonna take any steps backward, and we're gonna keep improving and what we've done so far, that's what's been working. We'll adjust to different circumstances when needed, but overall approach, that's not changing."
Holmes is maintaining his thought process regarding free agency despite the salary-cap increase. The Lions have been methodical in their external additions, and don't plan to pivot much from years past when it comes to their decision-making.
"I think the best way to say it is that you have to keep it in perspective and you have to keep it in mind," Holmes stated. "Does it open up a possibility of you may be able to do something that you didn't think you were gonna be able to do beforehand? So, when you're budgeting in advance for free agency, and especially when you probably have a good decision on what you want to do internally with your own players in terms of re-signs and extensions."
Detroit has options as a result of its increased standing with the salary cap. The organization has been very consistent in its choices when it comes to making external additions, as it has prioritized cultural fit.
With this in mind, the Lions' GM will likely continue to be measured in his choosing of players. Still, the amount of cap space gives Detroit plenty of options.
"I think when you look externally, which I think that's when you've got to be the most careful, when you go externally," the GM explained. "You might want to open up and do you want to externally say, we can get another depth player here with external add or do you want to just say, we have this handful of players that we're looking to add from an external standpoint. Now that we have this much more available, maybe we can get a bigger fish. So, it's a lot of different ways you can slice it. You've just got to be mindful of it, keep it in perspective, but I don't think you need to scrap your plans."
Being 'one player away'
The Lions have positional needs that, if addressed, could be difference-making. Yet, Holmes doesn't subscribe to the theory of the team being one player away from a Super Bowl championship.
Traditionally, the team has made a serious effort to stockpile depth in order to account for the injuries and setbacks that can occur naturally over the course of the NFL season.
"Look, I'm not a big believer in -- when you really look deeply into the one player away, when you look into that narrative, that's really not realistic, because what you're saying is, you might sign that one player in March," Holmes stated. "That one player looks good in black and white in the depth chart in March and April and all through the summer."
Prior to the 2023 season, Holmes brought in safety Ceedy Duce and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. Both players sustained significant injuries, and wound up missing a majority of the season.
While not mentioning those situations directly, the GM pointed out that acquisitions don't always pan out perfectly as a result of injuries that occur. As a result, he plans to continue making strategic additions that will benefit the team.
"What if that one player is not available in October and November and December? Or, you're saying one player on top of all the players you already have," Holmes explained. "What if that one player is available in October and November, December, but all the other players are not? That's why you've got to be a little careful about the, you've just got to take that one player. I'm not a big believer in that."
