The Lions interviewed Brad Holmes virtually last week, then flew him from LA to Detroit for a face-to-face interview on Wednesday. Apparently they liked what they heard.
The director of college scouting for the Rams is about to be the Lions' new general manager. Holmes and Detroit are 'finalizing a multi-year deal,' according to Adam Schefter.
Holmes, 41, has spent the duration of his 18 years in the NFL with the Rams and directed the draft for the organization since 2013. The Rams have made the playoffs in three of the past four years despite not owning a first-round pick in that span.
"We want smart players, instinctive players and explosive players," Holmes said after the 2019 draft. "Those are the pillars we look for in football players, the core components, critical factors that we look for.”
With Holmes being a first-time GM, it's likely -- though not certain -- that the Lions will go with an experienced hire at head coach. That would put Marvin Lewis, Todd Bowles, Darrell Bevell and Dan Campbell at the front of the line, along with any potential head coaching targets from the college ranks.
Of course, that decision now belongs to Holmes.