Lions' Brad Holmes and Ray Agnew talk wide receivers, key players as regular season nears

Detroit Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes and assistant general manager Ray Agnew met with reporters Thursday morning to discuss various topics following the finalization of the 53-man roster this week.

The two talked about the backup quarterback situation, the wide receiver room, key players signing contract extensions and more.

Here's a recap of what was discussed.

Hendon Hooker is the new backup QB

Hooker winning the backup quarterback job over Nate Sudfeld came down to how many reps he could take in training camp.

Holmes said the more Hooker was on the field, the more confidence he gained and the more confident the front office and coaches had in him to solidify himself behind Jared Goff.

Furthermore, the Lions are excited to see Hooker's progression and growth with the team moving forward.

Jake Fromm, who was essentially brought in as insurance for the team's preseason roster as Hooker was going through the concussion protocol, was brought back to the team's practice squad because he impressed coaches enough to pick up the offense quickly and execute in the final preseason game.

Jameson Williams and other wide receivers

Agnew spoke about Williams' growth and how much he's improved since he came to the Lions two years ago.

"He's an exciting kid to watch play. I'm expecting big things out of him this year and I'm sure he is too," Agnew said about Williams. "I know how the kid is built and I know how he's wired, there's no lack of confidence."

Holmes added that the team has always been aware and supportive of Williams as he's faced different adversities — a knee injury and the gambling suspension — early in his career. It's forced Williams to take a more tactical, mature approach to the game and the results have been nothing short of positive so far heading into the regular season.

Holmes and Agnew also spoke about receiver Antoine Green and how he may have had a leg up on the rest of the receivers for the fourth spot on the depth chart before he suffered a serious concussion. Green ultimately was waived with an injury designation.

"That's right when [Green] started to show the growth and right when he kind of started to take the lead [for the fourth spot] in my opinion, but unfortunately that happened," Holmes said about Green getting injured.

In regards to the newcomers Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson being signed to the practice squad, injuries and the lack of others stepping up opened an opportunity to bring the veterans in.

Holmes said the team had been impressed with Patrick's ability to perform coming back from a torn ACL and torn Achilles in back-to-back seasons and added that Robinson was someone he wanted to sign a couple years ago.

The impact of key players signing extension

Agnew spoke about the impact of key players on the Lions' roster signing contract extensions before the regular season begins.

Those players include Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell. St. Brown signed a four-year, $120 million extension with $77 million guaranteed in April; Sewell signed a four-year, $112 million extension with $85 million guaranteed also in April; and Goff signed a four-year, $212 million extension with $170 million guaranteed in May.

While it was also important to get deals done before contracts increase in the market's asking price within the league, it's also crucial to get deals done with leaders in the locker room to set the tone, according to Agnew.

"That's what's more exciting for me, as a former player, what the locker room sees what you pay a St. Brown and a Penei — who deserve to get paid," Agnew said. "I think that sends a great message to the locker room."

Defensive lineman Alim McNeill next to get extension?

On the topic of who else could be seeing the next big extension, McNeill's name was brought up by a reporter.

The defensive lineman has played in 47 games for the Lions the past three years, making 112 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, delivering 20 quarterback hits, and eight sacks.

Holmes said while talks are in the beginning stages still, the fourth-year player is likely to be next one to enter contract extension discussions.

"He's just so focused on playing and that's it during the season... he's a player that's coming up that we wanna keep around, he's been a darn good player for us and so, we haven't had anything intense going on from a dialogue standpoint but his camp knows we want to get something done but it's in the early infancy stages right now," Holmes said.

Jakes Bates is the guy, for now at least

Bates enters the regular season for the Lions as the kicker after Michael Badgley suffered a season-ending injury early in training camp.

Holmes said on Thursday that the decision to go with Bates and not consider anyone else was based on giving him a shot and providing all of the reps to really see what he brings to the team.

The team likes Bates' development so far, despite having an up-and-down preseason with accuray but showing off the strength in his leg. With that being said, Holmes mentioned that the team may sign a veteran kicker to the practice squad before the season begins.