Brad Holmes was named the Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager on January 14, 2021. In his role, he oversees the Lions' football operations and reports directly to Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Ford Hamp and President and CEO Rod Wood.
Holmes joined the Lions after spending 18 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2003-2020). In 2013, the Rams elevated Holmes to Director of College Scouting, where he was responsible for overseeing the team's college scouting operations for eight seasons.
Holmes' vision for leading the Lions has so far been founded on a collaborative approach with Head Coach Dan Campbell as the two began reshaping the roster in 2021. Placing an emphasis on players with grit, passion and football character, Holmes has enhanced the Lions roster through precision in every phase of the talent acquisition process as he enters his third season as executive vice president and general manager.
The first month of Holmes' tenure in 2021 led to a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams that resulted in the Lions acquiring QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two future first-round draft picks in exchange for QB Matthew Stafford. His first offseason was capped off with one of the NFL's brightest and most productive draft classes, highlighted by the seventh overall pick T Penei Sewell out of Oregon. Sewell started 16 games as a rookie, splitting time between left and right tackle, and became the youngest player in NFL history to start a game at left tackle. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth round, 112th overall), set the Lions' all-time rookie record for receptions (90) and receiving yards (912), while DL Alim McNeill (third round, 72nd overall) emerged as a foundational piece along the defensive line. That year, Holmes also inked two-time Pro Bowl C Frank Ragnow to a long-term contract extension.
In 2022, Holmes re-signed key players such as LB Alex Anzalone, WR Kalif Raymond and OLB Charles Harris after each produced career-best seasons within their first year in Detroit, while also extending S Tracy Walker to a long-term deal. Holmes' 2022 draft class echoed his approach of investing in reliable, gritty players with the selection of DE Aidan Hutchinson (first round, second overall) and WR Jameson Williams (first round, 12th overall). Hutchinson finished second in the AP Rookie in the Year vote and concluded the season with 9.5 sacks (most among rookies), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. His three interceptions tied for the most ever by a Lions defensive lineman in a single season.
Holmes' 2022 draft class was also highlighted by S Kerby Joseph, LB Malcolm Rodriguez and LB James Houston. The Lions' 2022 rookie class set an NFL record for most sacks by rookie players in a single season (20.5), and also ranked atop several league categories for 2022 – including second in rookie interceptions (seven) and first in rookie tackles for loss (26). Joseph became the only player to ever intercept QB Aaron Rodgers three time in a single season, while Houston finished second on the team in sacks with 8.0.
With a foundation set, Holmes further bolstered the Lions roster with major free agency signings in 2023 that included DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Cam Sutton, CB Emmanuel Moseley, RB David Montgomery and OL Graham Glasgow. Holmes also brought back core players DT Isaiah Buggs, DE John Cominsky and Anzalone on multi-year extensions. The Lions' full 2023 draft class included RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Round 1, Pick 12), LB Jack Campbell (Round 1, Pick 18), TE Sam LaPorta (Round 2, Pick 34), DB Brian Branch (Round 2, Pick 34), QB Hendon Hooker (Round 3, 68 overall), DT Brodric Martin (Round 3, 96 overall), OL Colby Sorsdal (Round 5, Pick 152 overall) and WR Antoine Green (Round 7, Pick 219 overall).
Prior to the Lions, Holmes led the Rams college scouting department and helped the organization capture two NFC West titles en route to three playoff berths and an appearance in Super Bowl LIII. After originally joining the Rams in 2003 as a public relations intern, Holmes transitioned into scouting and spent nearly two decades in a variety of roles within the organization's player personnel department, including NFS scout, area scout, national Combine scout and scouting assistant.
In his previous role, Holmes collaborated with the Rams' personnel directors to improve technological resources and enhance overall scouting procedures. While holding a prominent leadership role in the player personnel department from 2013-20, Holmes helped the Rams achieve a 64-58 record (.524), while having a total of 25 players named to the Pro Bowl during that span. He played an integral role in drafting several key players on the Rams' current roster, including DT Aaron Donald, QB Jared Goff, WR Cooper Kupp and S John Johnson. Holmes was also instrumental in helping the Rams acquire All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey via trade in 2019.
A Tampa, Fla. native, Holmes graduated cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications and was a four-year letterman for the Aggies at defensive tackle. He was voted team captain and helped A&T win the 1999 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Black College Football National Championship.
In 2022, the Chamberlain (Fla.) High School Legacy Alliance recognized Holmes as a distinguished alumnus by naming the new football stadium press box in his honor.
Holmes is the son of Melvin Holmes, who played offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971-73, and is also the nephew of former Lions defensive back Luther Bradley (1978 first-round pick). He is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have two children.
