Under a new general manager (Brad Holmes) and head coach (Dan Campbell), the Detroit Lions went into a rebuild out of the disaster Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn left behind. That rebuild was going to be equal parts bolstering the talent and building a new culture, and easier said than done.
After a promising finish to the 2021 season, the Lions started the 2022 season 1-6. But they of course turned it around, winning eight of their last 10 games to finish above .500.
After a couple good drafts, Holmes clearly sensed an opportunity to strike in free agency this offseason and took it (Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, David Montgomery). Another good-looking draft, however it was against the grain for many, followed in April.
During an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket last week, Holmes talked about the track the Lions are on.
"I believe we’re right on track," Holmes said. "You can make an argument that we’re a little ahead of schedule. We were able to hit on a lot of guys that were able to provide immediate production and play-time, some young guys, some rookies.""
Dan Campbell confirms growth of Detroit Lions' roster in his own assessment
Before Tuesday morning's joint practice against the New York Giants, in the added light of the addition of Teddy Bridgewater, Campbell offered his assessment of where the Lions' roster is.
"Certainly, we feel pretty good about where we're at. I think in a three-year period, this is the best we've felt about this roster," the coach explained. "Like we have the most game ready, most competitive ready, and so it only made sense to us to bring in a guy who can compete. He (Bridgewater) and Nate go back and forth, we'll figure it out. But if something happens, you want to feel like, there again, you can keep the ship afloat and we play with three phases here, offense, defense and special teams."Dan Campbell
The Lions roster in certainly in the best shape it has been in under Campbell and Holmes, and better than it's been going back to before Patricia.