Detroit Lions Executive Vice President & General Manager Brad Holmes speaks to the press about their season, how it ended and what’s next at the Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions are still recovering from the loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round. The expectations were sky-high and were hoping to win to fight for a Super Bowl.
Quickly following the loss, the Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. GM Brad Holmes revealed that he won’t be afraid to make veteran additions this offseason.
He also expressed the team is interested in bringing back CB Carlton Davis III and G Kevin Zeitler.
#Lions GM Brad Holmes on Carlton Davis III: “I thought he played better this year than he did the year before…in Tampa. … I thought we got what we wanted to get.”
Says contract convos haven’t intensified but sounds like there might be mutual interest.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) January 23, 2025
Brad Holmes was impressed with Kevin Zeitler this season. Says they’ve had conversations with him this offseason and will “see where that goes.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) January 23, 2025
Lions News: Brad Holmes Open to Bringing Back Carlton Davis III & Kevin Zeitler
During his presser on Thursday, Holmes said there’s a mutual interest in bringing back Davis III.
“I thought he played better this year than he did the year before…in Tampa. … I thought we got what we wanted to get.”
– Brad Holmes
In March 2024, Detroit sent a third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to bring Davis III to the Motor City. In 13 games with the Lions, Davis III had 56 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions.
Unfortunately, he fractured his jaw in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills and landed on IR. There was hope that he would return to the field but that didn’t happen. The Lions will have a new DC calling the shots in 2025, so keeping Davis III around would be great for the secondary and keeping continuity.
As for Zeitler, he signed with the Lions on a one-year, $6 million deal. Despite being 34 years old, he was one of the best guards in the NFL. According to PFF, Zeitler finished the year with an 86.8 overall grade (5th among 135 eligible guards) and an 87.2 run-blocking grade (3rd among 135 eligible guards). He only committed two penalties and gave up five sacks.
Both of these veterans were productive and effective in Detroit and the Lions would be smart to bring them back for the 2025 campaign.
