Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been named the 2024 NFL Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, making it the second straight year Holmes has taken home this honor.
Under the direction of Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions clinched their second consecutive NFC North title, the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs and set a franchise record for wins in a regular season with 15. Detroit's record-breaking season ended with a loss to Washington in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last weekend.
"So look, obviously, fell short of the goals that we set out to accomplish this year and it stung. It's humbling," Holmes said Thursday. "But I won't allow it to discredit all of the positives that we were able to accomplish as well this season. Franchise record of wins and another division title and being undefeated on the road, being undefeated in the division in a – call it what it is though, a historically tight division race this year.
"You can't mope a reversal of the unfortunate outcome, so there's literally nothing else to do but pick yourself up and get back to work. There is nothing else to do, so that's what we're going to do. That's what we will do, and the process has already started."
Since taking over as general manager in 2021, Holmes has built one of the top young rosters in the NFL through the draft, then supplementing with terrific free-agent acquisitions along the way.
Holmes drafted players like tackle Penei Sewell (2021), defensive lineman Alim McNeill (2021), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021), linebacker Derrick Barnes (2021), defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (2022), wide receiver Jameson Williams (2022), safety Kerby Joseph (2022), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (2023), linebacker Jack Campbell (2023), tight end Sam LaPorta (2023), defensive back Brian Branch (2023) and cornerback Terrion Arnold, who have all become the young core of this football team.
Sewell, St. Brown, Branch and Gibbs were all Pro Bowlers this season, as was quarterback Jared Goff, who Holmes traded for in one of his first moves as Detroit's general manager back in 2021.
During the offseason, Detroit added some key free agents who had a huge impact, including guard Kevin Zeitler, defensive tackle DJ Reader and cornerback Amik Robertson. Holmes also traded for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, who was playing at a Pro Bowl level before a broken jaw cut his season short.
Holmes and his staff dealt with a ton of roster attrition due to injury this season. The Lions had 16 players finish the season on injured reserve, including six starters on defense. Holmes traded for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith at the trade deadline to reinforce their pass rush and at one point in early December had to sign three players off other teams' practice squads on the same day. All three played in Detroit's next game that week and helped them win. Holmes and his personnel staff did a terrific job all season keeping the roster competitive and championship-worthy despite all the injuries.
This is the second PFWA Executive of the Year honor for Holmes and the Lions since the award was established in 1993. Holmes is only the second executive to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Bill Polian with the Carolina Panthers in 1995-96.
