DETROIT — The confetti has barely settled on the 2025 season, but for Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes, the clock is already ticking toward March. After another grueling playoff run, the mandate for the 2026 offseason isn’t about winning the headlines—it’s about reinforcing the foundation. The Lions don’t need a $100 million splash; they need the kind of calculated, high-upside moves that have defined the Holmes era.
With salary cap space precious and key extensions looming, Detroit must look for value. We’ve identified three veterans hitting the open market who fit the Lions’ grit-first culture and fill critical depth charts immediately.
1. The Edge Rotator: Yetur Gross-Matos
Finding a consistent running mate for Aidan Hutchinson remains a top priority. While the Lions might draft another edge rusher, they need a veteran who can step in Day 1. Enter Yetur Gross-Matos. The 28-year-old is hitting free agency at the perfect time for Detroit.
Standing 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Gross-Matos is built like a prototype Holmes defender—long, heavy-handed, and versatile. After a stint with the 49ers where he was effective when active, he offers a cheaper, arguably more reliable alternative to the often-injured Marcus Davenport. Despite missing time in 2025 following knee surgery, Gross-Matos still managed to disrupt pockets effectively in limited action.
The Money: Projecting a one-year, $3.5 million deal, he represents a low-risk swing. If he hits, Detroit gets a legitimate rotational disruptor for pennies on the dollar. If not, the cost is negligible. For a defense that relies on waves of pressure, he’s a logical fit.
2. The Safety Valve: TE Austin Hooper
The anxiety surrounding Sam LaPorta’s back injury is real. After the Pro Bowler underwent surgery in November 2025, Detroit’s offense looked noticeably different down the stretch. While the organization remains optimistic about LaPorta’s return for 2026, banking entirely on his health would be malpractice.
Austin Hooper isn’t going to make you forget LaPorta, but that’s not the job. The 31-year-old is the definition of a professional safety valve. He quietly put together a serviceable campaign in New England, proving he can still find soft spots in zone coverage and, crucially, hold his own as a blocker. With Hunter Henry locking down the TE1 spot for the Patriots, Hooper is available and affordable.
The Money: Spotrac valuation models suggest a deal around $2.4 million for one year. That is bargain-bin pricing for a player with over 350 career receptions. Bringing him in gives Jared Goff a veteran target who understands leverage and provides vital insurance if LaPorta’s recovery hits a snag.
3. The Right Tackle Gamble: Jack Conklin
This is the wildcard. Taylor Decker’s future hangs in the balance as he contemplates retirement following a season plagued by shoulder issues. If Decker walks—or even if he returns on a managed snap count—the Lions need a tackle with pedigree. Jack Conklin is that guy.
There’s a connection here: Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing coached Conklin in Cleveland during his All-Pro peak. Conklin’s 2025 season was rough, marred by injuries and a PFF grade that dipped to 57.4, but class doesn’t disappear overnight. When healthy, he is a road-grader who fits Detroit’s gap-scheme run game perfectly.
The Money: Because of his recent medical history, Conklin likely won’t command top-tier tackle money. A one-year, incentive-laden deal in the $7-$7.5 million range allows him to rebuild his value while giving Detroit a high-end insurance policy. It’s a classic “prove-it” deal that could pay massive dividends for an offensive line that prides itself on dominance.
“You look at the guys who win in this league, it’s not always the guys on the posters. It’s the guy who comes in on 3rd-and-4 in December and makes the block. That’s who we’re looking for.”
— Brad Holmes, General Manager (2025 End-of-Season Presser)
What This Means for the Draft
Signing this trio wouldn’t stop Detroit from drafting for the future, but it would liberate them. With a veteran tackle, edge, and tight end secured, Holmes wouldn’t be forced to reach for need at pick No. 28 (or wherever they land). He could continue his strategy of drafting the “best player available,” knowing the floor of the roster is secure. The window is wide open, but it takes smart, boring signings like these to keep it that way.
