The Detroit Lions having a tepid approach to free agency is nothing new with Brad Holmes as general manager, but a disappointing 2025 season did not change that mode at all. Owing to what Holmes has subsequently called "financial constraints", with more big contract extensions on the agenda, the Lions gave out just one multi-year deal in March.
Whenever the topic come up, Holmes also denies any idea the Lions are in any kind of "Super Bowl window." But at the same time, the general managers of other teams in the Lions' position don't offer "financial constraints" as an excuse for not doing notable things. Somehow, those GMs are able to pair drafting well with a sprinkling of notable moves to try to capitalize on a current window to win.
Former Lions fullback/linebacker Jason Cabinda occasionally appears on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." His most recent appearance was not incredibly recent, if memory serves, but he recently re-shared the clip of him talking about his former team's offseason.
Jason Cabinda questions Lions' offseason approach
My biggest surprise of the offseason? The Lions.
— Jason Cabinda (@jasoncabinda) April 16, 2026
Detroit barely touched the spots that matter most, and I think that signals the end of their Super Bowl window.
Between lingering injuries and a pass rush that still needs another guy opposite Hutch, I’m not sure they’ve done… pic.twitter.com/3CMWFxxEYm
"My biggest surprise of the offseason: I’ve got the Detroit Lions,” Cabinda said. “I am surprised that the only moves really that they’ve made this offseason is along the offensive line. They went and got Juice Scruggs for David Montgomery. They’ve gone and grabbed a couple of tackles, but there are some issues on this team.”
"We keep talking about, is their Super Bowl window closed? I don't know if they're making enough moves right now to keep it open. We're still talking about pass rush, and a guy opposite Aidan Hutchinson, to make that pass rush more dynamic."
"Kerby Joseph, I’m getting reports hearing that the knee injury isn’t progressing the way they want to. Brian Branch, they don’t know when he’s going to be coming back. Alex Anzalone, one of their leaders in the linebacker corps, he’s gone."
"I’m not sure exactly what the thought process is going on in the Detroit Lions right now.”
READ MORE: Lions have golden opportunity to shift their Super Bowl window with elite draft
Our thoughts on the decision to let Alex Anzalone go, in favor of paying Derrick Barnes, are abundantly clear. Maybe D.J. Wonnum and/or Payton Turner works out opposite Hutchinson, but there were/arguably still are better options available. Injury concerns around Joseph and Branch has yielded re-signing Avonte Maddox (a good move, by the way) and signing Christian Izien.
Holmes gives off an air of "how dare you question me?" sometimes. No one is anywhere close to calling for his job, but if the results on the field don't improve next season he could start to feel some heat.
Cabinda, with a platform to do so, channeled some easy sentiment about a bunch of low-end activity when the urgency should be higher for Holmes and the Lions coming off a disappointing season.
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