Lions hire Chris Grier as personnel executive

The Detroit Lions added Chris Grier to their front office on Wednesday, hiring the former Miami Dolphins general manager as a personnel executive. Detroit disclosed the move in a team announcement and on its front-office roster, but did not specify Grier’s responsibilities or a start date. The hire places a longtime NFL scouting and personnel executive inside a Lions operation led by executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes. Grier arrives after spending most of his NFL career with Miami. The Dolphins named him general manager on Jan. 4, 2016, and team biographies said he had risen through the organization from area scout to national scout to director of college scouting before taking over the top personnel job. Miami materials for the 2024 season said Grier was in his 25th year with the franchise and 30th NFL season. ### Where did the Lions put Grier in the organization? The Lions listed Chris Grier as a personnel executive on their front-office roster Wednesday. Detroit already has John Dorsey in a senior personnel executive role, Ray Agnew as assistant general manager and Brad Holmes running football operations, according to the team’s website. Detroit did not describe Grier’s reporting line in the announcement reviewed Wednesday. The team also did not say whether he will focus on pro scouting, college scouting or a broader advisory role. ### What did Grier do in Miami? Miami named Chris Grier general manager in January 2016. The Dolphins said at the time that he would oversee the draft and personnel departments and report to executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum. By December 2018, the Dolphins said Grier would oversee football operations while reporting directly to owner Stephen Ross. Team biographies later described him as overseeing personnel and all football operations for the club. ### How long was Grier with the Dolphins before this move? The Dolphins’ 2024 biography for Grier said he had spent 25 seasons with Miami. That bio said he joined the club as an area scout, then moved through national scouting and college scouting before becoming general manager. Miami’s 2016 announcement said Grier had spent the previous nine years as director of college scouting before his promotion. His tenure made him one of the longer-serving personnel executives in the league before his exit after the 2025 season. ### Why is this notable for Detroit’s front office? Brad Holmes has run the Lions’ football operation since 2021, and Detroit has built out a layered personnel department that includes Agnew, Dorsey and a full college and pro scouting staff. Grier adds another veteran evaluator with general manager experience to that group. Chris Spielman, the Lions’ senior football advisor to ownership, is also part of the club’s senior leadership structure. The team says Spielman played an integral role in the hiring of Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell and reports directly to president and CEO Rod Wood. ### What has the team not said yet? Wednesday’s announcement did not include a quote from Grier. The Lions also did not disclose a start date, contract terms or a fuller job description beyond the title of personnel executive. Detroit’s next public personnel milestones are likely to come with updates to its front-office directory or training-camp staffing announcements later this offseason. For now, the team has confirmed only that Grier is joining the Lions in a personnel role.