Lions GM Brad Holmes denies Dan Campbell rumor

Host Mike Valenti of Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket recently generated headlines when he said that he had heard that "there are definite differences of opinions in roster construction" between Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

During an appearance on "The Lions Collective Podcast," Holmes addressed his working relationship with Campbell.

Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell "in joint alignment" regarding Lions' roster construction?

"I think the only intensity I would say is just that when you have a disappointment of a season like we had, it’s more intense in terms of — I think what I spoke about at the end-of-the-season press conference is that it is a deeper, harder look from top to bottom on everything," Holmes said about offseason conversations he has had with Campbell, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. "And that’s what me and Dan have done in joint alignment." 

Since the 2022 season, the combination of Holmes and Campbell has guided the Lions to four straight winning campaigns, a pair of playoff berths and an appearance in the conference championship game. That said, Detroit is coming off a disappointing season that involved the club missing the playoffs with a record of 9-8. 

"I don’t know where the other stuff came from, but no, I mean, if anything, it’s me and Dan in total lockstep like we always have been," Holmes continued. "And, you know, we’re just kind of looking at everything top to bottom, which we already have done, and that we’ll continue to do, for sure." 

Brad Holmes reminds Lions fans that the offseason isn't over

Running back David Montgomery, pass-rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad and offensive tackle Taylor Decker are among some of the noteworthy players no longer with the Lions following the 2025 season. As Kory Woods noted for MLive, the perception exists that the Detroit roster still has noticeable weaknesses on both offense and defense. 

Holmes insisted during the podcast that "we’re not done yet" as it pertains to adding talent before training camp gets underway. 

"We’re going to keep adding and keep adding," Holmes explained. "And then obviously when the draft comes, we’re going to add as much as possible there with the right guys, and then when the draft’s over, we’re going to keep adding post-draft. …After the draft, man, there’s some exciting guys that are available that have played a lot of ball that you can still add. So, yeah, I think we have the right competition, but it’s far from done." 

The outspoken Campbell likely will be asked about his relationship with Holmes this spring. It could be interesting to see how Campbell reacts to such questions ahead of the upcoming draft.