BH
Brad Holmes
GM since Jan 2021(5 years, 6 mo)
GM rankings — every move graded by contract value, sentiment, and fan votes.
F
A-
N/A
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The Verdict on Brad, in One Read
On the Contract Value Index, Brad Holmes's front office has been significantly overpaying relative to production (F Contract Value Index). That ranks 1st of 32 on Sentiment among graded GMs. Reaction to the front office’s moves has been very positive (A- Sentiment), drawn from current news and social signal.
About Brad Holmes
Background and career path of the Detroit Lions general manager.
Path to the role
Holmes broke into the NFL through an unexpected door — a public relations internship with the St. Louis Rams in 2003 — before transitioning into scouting and player personnel. He played defensive tackle at North Carolina A&T, graduating cum laude, and is believed to be among the first HBCU graduates to become an NFL general manager. As the Rams' director of college scouting he was central to acquiring a wave of Pro Bowlers including Aaron Donald, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Cooper Kupp. Detroit named him executive vice president and general manager in January 2021.
Philosophy & notable moves
Holmes' first move set the tone: he traded franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and a package of first-round picks, then used that capital to build one of the NFL's most physical and well-rounded rosters. Back-to-back PFWA Executive of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024 reflected the turnaround. His drafts have been the engine of Detroit's rise from the league's basement to perennial contender.
Fun facts
- He is believed to be among the first HBCU graduates to serve as an NFL general manager (North Carolina A&T).
- He broke into the NFL as a public relations intern with the Rams before moving into scouting.
- He was named PFWA NFL Executive of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024).
74
Transactions
74
Graded
0
Fan Votes
5 years
Tenure
League Comparison
#1
Sentiment Rank
of 32 GMs
#20
Most Active
74 moves
Contract Value
F
Poor contract value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
The Detroit Lions have been paying a premium this season, with several contracts that outpace the expected production level. Across 53 contracts, 7 grade out as good value and 4 look like overpays based on comparable deals around the league. The best bang-for-the-buck deal was Jack Campbell (A-) at $3.7M/yr — getting linebacker production well above the price point. The priciest commitment relative to production was Jay Tufele (D) at $1.2M/yr. Cap flexibility could become a concern if these contracts don't produce at the expected level.
Public Sentiment
A-
Outstanding reception
NegativeMixedPositive
Brad Holmes has made outstanding moves for the Detroit Lions this 2026 cycle, drawing widespread praise from fans and media. Of 74 graded moves, 37 landed well with the fanbase, 22 drew mixed reactions, and 15 were viewed negatively. The standout move was bringing in Jay Tufele (A+), which generated the most positive buzz. The most questioned decision was the Terrion Arnold cut (F), which drew the sharpest criticism. The overall direction has been well-received — this front office is building with a clear vision.
Draft History (During Tenure)
Elite drafter — 77% hit rate (Rds 1-3)2026 Draft
All 2026 Transactions
C+
C+
SigningJul 31, 2026
Detroit Lions sign Anthony Firkser
D
D
SigningJul 31, 2026
Detroit Lions sign TE Anthony Fisker
AF
News & Buzz
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About this general manager
Brad Holmes is the general manager of the Detroit Lions, in his 6th year as the lead executive. FanVerdicts covers every NFL GM and the full body of moves they've made — and asks fans to render the verdict. Cast your Fan Verdict on Brad Holmes, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts brings its own read too — the contract value of the deals they signed, the performance of the players they assembled, and the sentiment around recent moves — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index F, Performance C, Sentiment A-.
Each GM grade is rolled up from the underlying transactions attributed to that GM's tenure. When a GM signs a player, that signing's Contract Value Index grade flows into the GM's portfolio score; the same player's subsequent performance and sentiment grades flow into the GM's respective summaries. Phased attribution applies for new GMs: the first three years weight the prior GM's legacy deals at 100%/66%/33%, ramping the new GM's ownership of roster outcomes.
For broader context, the NFL hub has team rankings, GM report cards, and the transactions feed. The NFL GM rankings page ranks every front office side-by-side on the same four dimensions.
