The Detroit Lions were on the radar early in the offseason, with the possibility of extending several important contracts until 2024.
While wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff are popular targets to re-sign and stay in Detroit, the Lions also signed general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell to new contracts, which was not surprising.
The Lions extended Campbell’s original six-year contract by one year, and Holmes’ current five-year contract by two years. This puts them on the same timeline, with the goal of continuing to establish Detroit into a perennial power.
Last week, Lions team president Rod Wood spoke on a panel at the Detroit Economic Club on the process of extending years to Campbell and Holmes’ contracts.
Familiarity with each individual’s representation helped simplify the deal, and negotiations didn’t begin until after the season ended.
“We really didn’t start serious conversations until the season was over, ” Wood said. “I didn’t want to get anybody distracted from anything but it was certainly on my mind knowing where the season was headed. When we initially hired both of them, Dan initially got a six-year contract, Brad got a five-year contract, so one of my objectives was to get them aligned with the same end date. So, extended Brad by two years, Dan by one, so they are both with us for the next four years at least and hopefully much longer.”
throughout his time on the panel, Wood discussed his interactions with both parties throughout their individual interviews. Campbell spoke with the Lions the day after a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, but Holmes rapidly piqued the interest of the interview committee.
Since Campbell and Holmes joined the Lions in 2021, the team has gone 29-33-1. Detroit has gone 26-20 since finishing 3-13-1 in its debut season under their supervision.
Last season, the Lions clinched their first division championship since 1993 and appeared in the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992.
