Lions GM: Hockenson would have been traded even with a 6-1 record

ALLEN PARK — Brad Holmes, the Lions general manager, insisted on Wednesday that he would have traded tight end T.J. Hockenson even if the Lions 1-6 record was reversed.

The 25-year-old Hockenson was traded to the Vikings for a second-round pick (2023) and a third-rounder (2024) on Tuesday, the NFL trade deadline day.

“This move was not reflective of our record. If our record was reversed and it made sense for us we would have still done it,’’ Holmes said during Wednesday’s practice “It wasn’t anything of that nature, it made sense for us and we’ll move forward with it.’’

Hockenson, a 2019 first-round pick, had 26 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns in the first seven games.

“I think that we’ve proven that our offense can score a lot of points, I’m sure he was a part of it. But the deal would have made sense, it was not based on record whatsoever,’’ Holmes reiterated. “I think it was a good deal for the future of our team and that’s my job, I’ve always got to have a laser focus on the current and also the future.’’

Holmes said this is not a sign that the team has given up on the season after losing five straight games.

“We’re working hard every single day to win as many games as possible. We’ve still got 10 games left and that’s what we’re working hard to do,’’ Holmes said. “Just because we’re in that phase of rebuilding doesn’t mean we can’t go out and work as hard as we can and win some games.’’

He said it is archaic thinking that trading in the division is a bad thing.

“When we make these kinds of decisions I’m totally at peace. T.J. is a good football player and the next time we play him he’ll still be a good football player, he’ll make a play or make some plays and score a touchdown or whatever he does. The camera will be in my face, I’ll look at it and wave,’’ Holmes said.

Hockenson is in the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Lions picked up his $4.9 million fifth-year option, putting him under contract through 2023. He is eligible for an extension.

Holmes said that many factors went into the trade decision and wo9rking on an extension for Hockenson was just one of them.

The GM also thanked Hockenson for his contributions to the team.

“I want to publicly express my appreciation for everything T.J. did for us. We’ve had a great relationship since I’ve been here. I wish him all the best, besides when we’re playing him, going forward,’’ Holmes said.

(Up next: Packers (3-5) at Lions (1-6) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6)

Lions fire DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant

ALLEN PARK — After another subpar defensive performance in the sixth loss of the season on Sunday, the Lions fired defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant on Monday.

“I think Aubrey is a hell of a coach, I have a ton of respect for him. It was a tough decision but we’re in a production based business and after seven weeks I felt like this change needed to be made,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “I wish him the best of luck and I appreciate everything — he put his heart and soul into everything he did.’’

He will be replaced by Brian Duker, who has served as the safeties coach. Addison Lynch, who has been the defensive quality control coach, will also be involved.

“Both of those guys will take on a substantial role with the defensive backs. We’ll see where that goes,’’ Campbell said.

Campbell said it wasn’t one particular incident in the 31-27 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday that led to the firing. “It’s all encompassing after seven weeks, it’s where we’re at. There again I think something needed to change,’’ Campbell said.

After the game he blamed the coaches (including himself) and the defensive players for not following the game plan they had drawn up specific to the Dolphins. The Lions gave up 382 passing yards in the loss to Miami.

Detroit’s defense, which gives up 421.3 yards per game, has been the worst in the NFL through the 1-6 start.

Moving forward without Pleasant, Campbell wants to see everyone on the same page. “And if we’re going to get beat it’s because we’re getting outrun or we’re not quite in phase but at least we’re kind of there. We have to cut our mentals (mental mistakes) in half,’’ Campbell said.

Campbell said he thought about the move last night and decided to go with it on Monday morning.

“(Firings are) brutal, they’re the worst, it’s the worst part of this job. He’s got a family. There again he put everything he had into this,’’ Campbell said. “I still believe he’s a helluva coach. Sometimes things just don’t work out. Absolutely, I see him getting another opportunity  and continuing to grow and climb again at some point, somewhere.’’

Pleasant was hired as the Lions’ defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator on Jan. 28, 2021.

(Next up: The Lions (1-6) face the Green Bay Packers (3-5) at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.)

Lions frustrated after another close loss, this time to Dolphins

DETROIT — Perhaps Taylor Decker sums up the Lions’ frustrations with a few words.

“It’s exhausting, but there’s nothing I can do other than go back to work. There’s nothing this team can do other than show up to practice on Wednesday with a good attitude and try to get this thing right,’’ the left tackle said after Sunday’s 31-27 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. “When there’s opportunities we just have to capitalize. This sucks.’’

Coach Dan Campbell echoed the sentiments. The Lions, who dropped to 1-6, have to keep working to somehow eke out a win.

“My thought is as frustrating as it is, I know how close we are because we are still talking about one play,’’ Campbell said. “The hard thing is to just keep doing your job and staying in the thick of the storm. The easy thing is to go down below and get under the blanket, eat all the food and whatever. The guys who are going to stay on the deck, continue to do their part cause they know the sun is coming, those are the guys we’re looking for.that’s how I choose to think of this.’’

When reminded that he has said this often, he replied, “Two years, two years.”

Five of the many things that played a key role in the loss:

1. The Lions held a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter and were up 21-7 at the half. The offense was good for 326 yards in the first half and 67 yards in the second half. Detroit had just three second-half possessions. The difference was mostly penalties — five in the second half, one in the first half. On the Lions’ first possession in the third they were whistled for three straight – false start (Penei Sewell), offensive holding (Sewell)  and false start (Decker). “In those 3 possessions I didn’t feel they did anything defensively that took us out of what we were doing …. It had nothing to do with them, that’s on us,that’s a self-inflicted wound we took ourselves out of our own rhythm.’’

2. With less than 3 minutes left, and the Lions behind 31-27, they had a fourth-and-1 at the Miami 35. Instead of going for the yardage, Jared Goff heaved one to Josh Reynolds in the end zone but he couldn’t grab it. It’s just one play of many but could have kept them in the game.

3. Detroit’s defense, which looked like it made a turn-around in the loss at Dallas a week ago, was overwhelmed. Miami finished with 476 total yards. They only punted once. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished 29 of 36 for 382 yards and three touchdowns. “We didn’t hit them at the line, that was part of the game plan. We did not disrupt. … We didn’t want to turn it into a track meet and it was a track meet,’’ Campbell said. He said coaches and players were at fault at not handling the defensive game plan that was specifically designed for the Dolphins.

4. After no touchdowns in the previous two games, it looked like the offense had made a turn for the better with three first-half scores. Goff played better, especially in the first half. He finished 27 of 37 for 321 yards and one touchdown. He was only sacked once. Nothing worked in the second half. “I don’t know how many drives we had in the first half, but we only had three in the second half and the two we kind of killed ourselves with penalties,” Goff said. “Kind of put us behind the eight-ball situation there and that last drive was the drive to win the game and we didn’t finish it.”

5. Close doesn’t count and Campbell would be the first to say so. In four of the Lions’ six losses they have lost by a total of 14 points, including a 4-point difference on Sunday. Campbell said that coach Bill Parcells used to say the only way to win close games is to win close games. Of course, it’s easier said than done. 

(Next up: Packers at Lions, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Ford Field.)