When you hear Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell discuss the chance of bringing in a player, they’ll frequently use variations of the phrase “fits us.” In other words, the mentioned player needs to “suit us,” and they are referring to more than just raw skill.
In his unforgettable season-ending press conference after the conclusion of the 2023 season, Holmes explicitly expressed his stance on the importance of talent in player evaluation.
“We need to move beyond simply searching for the most skilled player,” Holmes stated. In my view, that is the essential requirement for assessment. That’s the – who is the quickest? Who is the most powerful? Who has the greatest height? That’s a highly logical action to take. No, it’s about how to identify the right intangibles in a football player? “And that is what has shaped us into who we are.”
The Lions have evidently discovered numerous players who possess the qualities they are seeking. These players have been the cornerstone of the team’s advancement and achievements since Holmes and Campbell assumed control, and many will continue to be the cornerstone for the near future as they “reward their own” with significant contracts.
It’s no surprise that possessing certain unique qualities is essential to becoming a great player, and those intangible traits distinguish the exceptional from the ordinary. Each NFL team seeks those aspects. However, few resemble the Lions in their ability to understand what those attributes mean to them and then identifying and acquiring players who fit that model.