Lions Weigh Starter Trades for Draft Picks

Detroit's GM and coach address offseason moves and potential roster changes ahead of the NFL Draft.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:58pm

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The Detroit Lions' front office spoke openly about the team's approach to free agency, potential contract extensions, and the possibility of trading a starter for draft capital this offseason. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell discussed the surprising exit of veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, the team's focus on retaining its own drafted talent, and the areas they still need to address through the draft.

Why it matters

As the Lions look to build on their playoff appearance in 2025, the decisions they make this offseason regarding their roster and free agency strategy will be crucial. Fans are eager to see how the team will address key needs like edge rusher and left tackle, while also balancing the looming contract extensions for young stars like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell.

The details

In a podcast interview, GM Brad Holmes acknowledged that the team's desire to retain its drafted talent, including Gibbs, Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch, has limited their free agency spending this offseason. He also hinted that Penei Sewell could potentially move to left tackle, a position of need. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Campbell faced questions about the team's handling of Decker's departure, which the veteran left tackle publicly criticized. Campbell is expected to provide more clarity on that situation at the upcoming NFL owners meetings.

  • The Lions' offseason program and OTAs are scheduled to begin in late April.
  • The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from April 27-29.

The players

Brad Holmes

The Detroit Lions' general manager, who has overseen the team's roster-building efforts since 2021.

Dan Campbell

The Detroit Lions' head coach, who is entering his third season leading the team.

Taylor Decker

The former longtime starting left tackle for the Detroit Lions, who recently aired out his issues with the team's handling of his departure.

Jahmyr Gibbs

The Detroit Lions' first-round draft pick in 2023, a promising young running back who is due for a contract extension.

Jack Campbell

The Detroit Lions' first-round draft pick in 2023, a highly touted linebacker who is also due for a contract extension.

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What they’re saying

“This was a surprising revelation that came out regarding how things went down with Decker and the Lions. Since Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over, the Lions simply haven't let things like this get out very often, and while the NFL is a business and things like this happen, it was definitely a shock to read about the way Decker has been ghosted by the organization for over a month now.”

— Christian Booher, Detroit Lions writer

“First off, I'm not surprised that a veteran of Decker's caliber was upset with how his exit was reportedly handled. For as much as I don't fault the Lions for asking the veteran left tackle to take a pay cut, I also find it frustrating that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell failed to offer him a proper goodbye.”

— Vito Chirco, Detroit Lions writer

What’s next

The Lions' coaching staff and front office will continue to evaluate the roster and prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, where they may look to trade back and acquire additional picks to address needs at edge rusher and left tackle.

The takeaway

The Lions are prioritizing retaining their young core talent through contract extensions, which has limited their free agency spending this offseason. However, they still have key holes to fill, and may look to the draft to address those needs, potentially by trading back to acquire more picks.