DETROIT — Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have transformed the Detroit Lions from laughingstock franchise to Super Bowl contenders in just three seasons.
That’s how well Detroit’s coach and general manager have worked together. And Thursday, amid the yearly free agency rush, they were rewarded with contract extensions that will keep them together through the 2027 season.
Under their leadership, the Lions’ turnaround has been remarkable, culminating, so far, last season when Detroit claimed its first division title in three decades and won its first postseason games since 1991 before falling one game shy of reaching the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl.
The Lions, who began Campbell and Holmes’ tenure with a 3-13-1 record in 2021, last season won two playoff games in a single postseason for the first time since 1957 and tied the franchise record for most wins in a season with 12 (12-5).
Despite the team’s success, Holmes said he and Campbell are only getting started, and that they are focused on building a perennial contender in Detroit.
“I don’t want anybody to think that this was a one-shot, Cinderella, magical journey that just happened,” Holmes said at his end-of-season press conference.
“No, it’s real. This is exactly what was supposed to happen, and I understand that based on history, from what’s happened in the past. I understand if you have a season like this, it’s easy to feel like this was kind of a one-shot, magical, lucky, cute story. Which I’m tired of hearing. It was none of that.”
The extensions show Lions ownership is pleased with the jobs Campbell and Holmes are doing and remains committed to their vision of sustaining long-term success in Detroit.
