Adding further fuel to the fire that has been the Detroit Lions' lack of spending at the pass rush position, team president Rod Wood told Detroit Free Press's Dave Birkett that that decision was totally intentional.
Birkett reported that, in an interview with Wood this past weekend, the executive basically doubled down on what was already emphasized by Holmes regarding the Lions' free agency "cheap" decision-making.
"When we’re looking at our cash and cap budget, we’re looking at it as is and as it will be with those guys knowing that we want to keep many of them, all of them if we can," Wood said. "So if we had gone out and done the biggest – let’s say we did the Maxx Crosby trade or the Trey Hendrickson signing, that probably would have meant, which one of these guys are we going to let go?"
With several extensions still due up for Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell, and Jahmyr GIbbs, it makes sense that Wood is looking at the Lions' budget with a huge lens.
That's likely the biggest constraint with both cash and cap room that he's referring to, since Detroit does have some room ahead of the NFL Draft to have made slightly bigger signings than their recent, signature one-year prove it deals. Per Over The Cap, their space sits at just over $23 million.
Wood added that, with these restraints, it's clear that Detroit's best shot at maintaining their top roster as affordably as possible is by targeting this coveted position in the draft, rather than spending large on a solution.
"...would we love to have another great pass rusher? Yeah, but we'll probably have to find him in the draft vs. we go out and pay top dollar for him."
Lions president doubles down on Detroit's priorities in free agency
Detroit's top brass has repeatedly made it known to fans, team writers, and team reporters alike that they're never going to be the team to make a big swing if it means compromising their current roster. They view the Lions as a roster set up for long-term success and growth, although there have been a few wrenches thrown into their plans for sustainability by way of shocking retirements, releases, and injuries.
Most of these things are out of their control. Some things aren't. And one of the things they can control is ensuring that a problem that's continued to rear its ugly head since the drafting of Aidan Hutchinson is solved to some extent.
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The team, honestly, does feel set up to finally land a proper No. 2 next to him in this year's draft, but that's no excuse for how they've handled that EDGE2 role in recent years. Marcus Davenport is a bit of a stain on their record, while allowing Al-Quadin Muhammad to walk for so little has the potential to be another.
It's what makes grandiose statements like these from Wood a bit harder to tolerate. Sure, the Lions have the capital to make this year's edge class work for them. Despite tackle being their biggest need, they can still net a fit at the edge in players like Gabe Jacas, Keldrick Faulk, Malachi Lawrence, and others. It's genuinely a great year to put this debate to rest.
At least, the Lions have to hope it is. If they swing and miss on a Day 1 or 2 edge rusher, these kinds of quotes from Wood and Holmes are set to haunt Detroit throughout 2026 - especially if they remain lackluster in their ability to get to the quarterback.