Lions Coach Dan Campbell Dismisses Rumors of Tension with GM Brad Holmes

Campbell firmly denies any differences of opinion with Lions GM on roster construction.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:04pm

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell strongly refuted reports of tension between himself and general manager Brad Holmes, stating that the two are "golden" and "as good as we've ever been" in their working relationship. Campbell's comments came in response to a claim made by radio host Mike Valenti that a source had told him there were "definite differences of opinions in roster construction" between Campbell and Holmes this offseason.

Why it matters

The relationship between a head coach and general manager is critical to an NFL team's success, so any perceived discord could be concerning for Lions fans hoping the team can build on a disappointing 2025 season. Campbell and Holmes have been viewed as a unified front since arriving in Detroit, so maintaining that alignment is key.

The details

During a Crain's Detroit luncheon, Campbell directly addressed Valenti's report, saying "Brad and myself do everything together. And despite what's been out there, that's a bunch of... listen, we're golden, man." Campbell added that the two are "as good as we've ever been" and are focused on "want[ing] to win and we're going to get it right." Lions GM Brad Holmes has also previously stated that he and Campbell are in "total lockstep."

  • On March 29, 2026, Dan Campbell spoke at a Crain's Detroit luncheon and addressed the reports of tension with GM Brad Holmes.

The players

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions, who has been working closely with GM Brad Holmes since they both joined the organization.

Brad Holmes

The general manager of the Detroit Lions, who has been aligned with head coach Dan Campbell in their efforts to rebuild the team.

Mike Valenti

A radio host on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit who reported that a source told him there were "definite differences of opinions in roster construction" between Campbell and Holmes.

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What they’re saying

“Brad and myself do everything together. And despite what's been out there, that's a bunch of... listen, we're golden, man.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

“We are as good as we've ever been, we want to win and we're going to get it right.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

What’s next

The Lions will continue their offseason preparations for the 2026 NFL season, with Campbell and Holmes expected to remain aligned in their approach to roster construction and team-building.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of the coach-GM relationship in the NFL, and the Lions' leadership appears committed to maintaining a unified front as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign. The swift and definitive response from Campbell and Holmes suggests there is no real divide within the organization, despite the initial report.