We received quite a few questions, which we can use to help spark future stories over the next few months. Always helpful to know what you all are thinking about. In this mailbag, there were plenty of questions about free agency, the NFL Draft, the 2024 season and beyond. We’ll get to some of that here, and save the rest for later.

As always, thanks for all your questions and thanks for subscribing. Really appreciate it. Some questions have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Brad Holmes has been clear that the Lions build through the draft. You have stated many times that this staff feels like 2023 was still a year early, in a sense, with the young talent on the roster.

With that context, how aggressive do you think Holmes and company will be this offseason? Is there a “burn the ships” mentality that comes with being that close to a Super Bowl last year, in addition to the looming contracts for our stars? — Kevin P.

I get it’s natural to want to go all-in after coming so close, but I just don’t see that happening with this regime. I think Holmes’ wheelhouse will be Tier 2 and 3 of free agency, where he can add quality players on shorter deals without breaking the bank and mortgaging the future.

I think cornerback, edge and kicker are all positions worth taking a look at in free agency, and you can find players who can help there in those tiers. We’ll address potential targets in the coming weeks.

That said, I believe the Lions are going to preserve cap flexibility to re-sign their own and try to keep their window open with this crew as long as possible. If they do add a big name in free agency, that player will have to fit what they’re about and fit their timeline. Think about what Dan Campbell and Holmes said at the trade deadline, about finding the right guys. They will be disciplined in their approach, even as they reach contender status.

Holmes has nailed his drafts, but he has never had picks this low. Do you see him being aggressive in the draft? If so, how? If not, why? — Matt P. 

Holmes was asked this at his news conference earlier this month.

“It’s going to be the same exact process,” he said. “It’s going to be the same exact plan.”

Holmes is known for finding productive players in various rounds. Brian Branch in the second, Alim McNeill in the third, Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth.

Just because the Lions are picking 29th instead of the top 10 doesn’t mean the scouting process drastically changes. I think he’ll play the board with the chance to add four quality players among the top 100 picks, but we have evidence to show he isn’t afraid to trade up for a player he wants.

David Montgomery rushed for 1,1015 yards and 13 TDs in 14 regular-season games for the Lions. (Lon Horwedel / USA Today)

After Holmes challenged the press on personnel assessments, how have you or will you change your approach to providing us useful insights on draft selections and player development? — (no name given)

I thought Holmes’ presser was entertaining and fiery, demonstrating the passion he’s known for. He’s not just going through the motions like some GMs. He lives this stuff and it’s evident on draft night and even during this playoff run. He deserves the victory lap.

That said, I don’t see much reason to change my personal approach. I’ve seen the vision with a lot of the moves he’s made since I joined the beat. Trading T.J. Hockenson, signing David Montgomery, largely standing pat at the deadline. Even last year’s class, to me, was about adding potential impact talent regardless of positional value.

When picks are made, I try to be as fair as possible. I’m not into draft grades. I understand the want for those — to help fans contextualize the class an organization just brought in — but it’s pretty silly when you think about it. Imagine a food critic reviewing a meal they’ve only glanced at. You need to give players a chance. That will always be my philosophy.

Instead, I try to identify the why. Last year, for me, it was about winning now. That was clear to me on night one, well before Holmes even said it himself on Day 3. You’re in the room to ask questions and find answers. Once you get them, you can relay them to those wondering the same things. I find that far more valuable than predicting whether a player will be a bust or a star in the aftermath of the draft.

As a writer who had a closer vantage point to this team than us fans, what were your top two or three most memorable moments (good or bad) from covering the team in its NFC Championship Game run? — Kris S.

I’ll stick with the good, because some of you are probably still wishing the Lions had a shot in Las Vegas. Three games in particular come to mind.

The first one is the season-opener versus the Chiefs. It’s not easy beating Patrick Mahomes in his building — even without Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. The Lions made a statement that night that set the tone for the season ahead. The perfect start to a memorable season.ADVERTISEMENT

The next, of course, was Christmas Eve. The Lions beat the Vikings to clinch their first division title in 30 years. I had been working on a story about the ’90s Lions, and the last team to get it done. Players from that era so desperately wanted this current group to field a winner. It was cool to see it come together on that day.

And, finally, the win over the Rams. I’m not gonna lie, my colleague Nick Baumgardner and I kind of willed that game into existence like a month out on our podcast, “One of These Years.” Not sure a ton of you wanted to see that matchup, and had the Lions lost, we probably would’ve taken some heat from the SOL-ers. But we kept thinking about what it would be like for the city if the Lions beat Matthew Stafford, their former face of the franchise, for their first playoff win in 32 years. Now we know.

More than anything, though, moments like that were reassuring as a writer. When you predict success for this franchise, it can often backfire. But this run let me know my assessment of the team and its trajectory was fair and, ultimately, correct. It won’t always be, but it’s cool when it is.

Do you think Dan Campbell would want the ball first or second in playoff overtime? He wouldn’t say he wants the ball third, right? — Michael R. 

Oh, man, I love this question. The NFL playoff overtime rules are new to a lot of people (players included, apparently). We obviously don’t have much data on this yet, and given the format, every coach might have a different way to approach it. But it’s fascinating to discuss.

Here’s what we know about Campbell: He trusts his players to make plays. We all watched the Dallas game and the NFC Championship Game. I think Campbell’s playoff overtime philosophy would be clear. I see him deferring, getting the ball second. If his defense holds the offense to a field goal, the obvious objective is to score a touchdown and win. But even if the defense allows a touchdown, I see Campbell trying to win the game on the next possession with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. When you have the offense to do it, I think that’s the move.

Who in the NFC North is most poised (at this point, pre-draft) to threaten a Lions repeat division championship? — N.G. 

The easy answer for 2024 is the Packers, considering they almost took down the 49ers. I loved their 2023 draft, they have the youngest snap-adjusted roster in the league and Jordan Love is looking like a dude. That said, watch out for the Bears long-term. Their defense is legit (it gave the Lions issues) and Montez Sweat was a great addition. I think they’re probably a year away but you can see the vision. If they draft Caleb Williams and add a wide receiver like Rome Odunze, in addition to the capital they’ll have from trading Justin Fields, they’ll be set up for success. The Vikings can make a run if they retain Kirk Cousins, but they have a lot more questions about the long-term plan than their NFC North counterparts.

Do you think there is a real chance the Lions bring training camp to Grand Rapids? — Christian S. 

Campbell briefly discussed this last summer. In June, he mentioned going to Grand Rapids for his daughter’s volleyball tournament and seeing all the support from Lions fans. He was then asked whether the Lions might hit Grand Rapids for training camp.

“Yeah, I actually thought about it,” Campbell said. “A lot of it comes down to the logistics of it. Where are we practicing? What is this turf like? What is the field? So, we have thought about it, but that’s about as far as it has gone.”

Campbell seems open to the idea, at the very least. That said, team president Rod Wood said at the owners’ meetings last year that he’d rather build a bigger facility that could accommodate more fans than hit the road. We’ll just have to see, but it would be a fun way to show some love to fans on the west side of the state who love the team just as much as those in Detroit.

Would you rather have Penei Sewell or Micah Parsons? Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux in a re-draft? — Jon P.

Fun one here. Micah Parsons once said the Lions told him he’d be their pick if he were available at No. 7. They probably didn’t expect Sewell to still be there. Obviously, both have turned into some of the best players at their positions. If you told me I’d be able to get Hutchinson the next year, I take Sewell all day. And, honestly, I probably do regardless. He’s so vital to this operation. His athleticism, his leadership and maturity, his durability, how he fits into what the Lions do offensively. He was the right pick.

As for Hutchinson vs. Thibodeaux, well, that’s an easy one for me. Hutch is the far more productive player. Here’s the comparison from this past season.

I don’t think Thibodeaux is a finished product yet, but the scary thing is, neither is Hutchinson. I’m taking him.

What’s your pick for best away game to travel to next season? — Matt E. 

Here are the Lions’ road opponents in 2024: Chicago, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Arizona, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston and Indianapolis. If we’re talking most compelling game, I’d say San Francisco. That’s an easy one for me. We could easily get a rematch in the NFC Championship Game, and that game could decide seeding.

If we’re talking road trips I’m most excited for, I’d say Arizona and Houston. Those are two stadiums I haven’t seen yet. I’ve never been to Houston, so that would be a city I cross off. I have been to the Phoenix area. Being there for the owners’ meetings last year was cool. Scottsdale’s a fun time, and the heat is more tolerable in the fall.

Next year: Super Bowl?! — Lance M. 

Or bust, yes. The training wheels are off. The Lions are one of the big boys now.