There’s a story that was retold by Nate Burleson six years ago that accurately depicted the reputation and culture of the Detroit Lions franchise. As Burleson tells it, when he came into the team’s locker room for the first time in 2010 as an incoming free agent, an unnamed cornerback pulled him aside and told him:

“This is where players’ careers come to die.”

It’s fair to say times have changed considerably in the decade and a half since that moment. Actually, things have changed considerably in just two years.

Not only are careers thriving in Detroit where they may not have elsewhere (see: Kalif Raymond, Jamaal Williams, Charles Harris, Josh Reynolds), but apparently players are scrambling to find their way onto the Lions’ roster.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes highlighted the stark difference in players’ perception of Detroit by sharing his recent experiences talking to NFL agents.

“In the past, I would say for the first two years, we had to do a lot of selling and convincing, constantly, just to try to get guys here,” Holmes said.

That is reflected in their free agency scores early in this regime. Detroit wasn’t able to corral some of the bigger-named players. Remember when they were interested in Jalen Ramsey? Maybe some of the Lions’ conservative first few years of roster building were intentional, as the Lions’ salary cap situation was limited, and they were likely more focused on building youth and talent through the draft.

But Holmes says his experience of player acquisition has changed drastically in the past year or two. Now agents are blowing up Holmes’ phone to get their clients to Detroit.

“It does feel good, it makes you feel good that we’ve done something,” Holmes said. “We’ve accomplished some things that these agents want to send their players here.”

That wave of agents came running to Detroit, particularly this offseason. When Michael Badgley went down with a season-ending injury, Holmes said kicker agents came running. When it was clear at the end of the preseason that Detroit was going to be in the market for a big-bodied receiver, it happened again.

“That was an even easier conversation. Every agent of a wide receiver wanted to send them here,” Holmes said.

It’s easy to see why Detroit would be such a welcomed destination for incoming free agents. Not only are they considered Super Bowl contenders this year, but players have raved about the culture and coaching staff in Detroit.

Take Broncos receiver, Tim Patrick, for example. Just hours after being cut from Denver, he lands in Detroit. Ten-year veteran Allen Robinson agreed to join, as well, despite there not being a clear starting role available for either player. Why? I think this headline says it all.

Robinson and Patrick have a collective 17 years of NFL experience and exactly zero Super Bowls. You can now come to Detroit to chase a ring. And that could mean keeping this team competitive and talented beyond just 2024 could come easier for Holmes and company.