Green Light with Chris Long — Episode Summary

Episode: Brad Holmes! Nico Collins! Texans & Lions Outlook, Frank Ragnow & CJ Stroud! Zyn, Aaron Rodgers & Las Vegas!
Date: June 13, 2025
Host: Chris Long
Guests: Brad Holmes (Lions GM), Nico Collins (Houston Texans WR), co-host Reed, Dr. Fax, and more

Episode Overview

In this dynamic (and often hilarious) episode, Chris Long and crew dig deep into the outlooks for two of the NFL’s most intriguing teams: the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. Featuring in-depth interviews with Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes and rising Texans star receiver Nico Collins, the show covers roster building, adversity, culture, leadership, and the behind-the-scenes challenges facing NFL franchises. Packed between those segments is classic Green Light banter—touching on everything from the perils of modern nicotine products (Zyn) to Vegas travel escapades, and ending with a hot take on Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 prospects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Culture and Challenges of the Detroit Lions

(Brad Holmes Interview | 20:30–46:49)

• Overcoming Adversity: Roster Crunch & Injuries

  • Holmes details the sheer difficulty of finding and signing replacements during last season's injury-laden stretch:
    • "Trying to trade for a defensive end was one of the hardest journeys that I've ever experienced... I was calling around for, like, teams’ thirds and their fours, right? Nobody wants to give them away." (21:46, Brad Holmes)
  • The gratitude and admiration for his coaching staff in getting new arrivals "ready to play like this" under crisis conditions.
  • Emphasis on not using injuries as an excuse:
    • “Everybody wants to blame injuries… but you can’t use that as an excuse… we just gotta be better.” (24:03, Brad Holmes)

• Coaching Changes & Internal Promotions

  • The Lions lost both coordinators—a validation of organizational strength, but also a challenge:
    • Holmes heaps praise on Dan Campbell for his patience and focus on "fit" during coordinator replacements, highlighting Calvin Shepard (DC) and John Morton (OC) and their strong internal familiarity with the roster and scheme.
  • Importance of ex-player coaches, especially on defense:
    • “When you know that guy’s been in your shoes at the highest level… your willingness to run through a wall for a guy just increases.” (28:18, Brad Holmes)

• On Ben Johnson Leaving for the Bears

  • Holmes clarifies there was no inside track or advance warning; he celebrates Johnson’s next step but admits, “It’s just a little, like, man, watch…” (30:58, Brad Holmes)

• Evolving the Offense and "Changing the Locks"

  • Dan Campbell wants to evolve regardless of staff departures:
    • “He’s looking to evolve it regardless anyway, like, regardless [of Ben leaving].” (32:28, Brad Holmes)

• Replacing Center Frank Ragnow

  • On Frank’s multidimensional importance:
    • “It’s not just player, it’s the person as well…he fit everything that we were about.” (36:43, Brad Holmes)
  • Key traits for a center: intelligence, communication, personality, ability to anchor against pass rushers.

• Defensive Line Strategy and Draft Philosophy

  • The Lions continue to invest in powerful, moveable interior D-linemen, with Ty’Leek Williams likely to pick up where Alim McNeill left off.
    • “[Ty’Leek Williams] probably more developed than Alim was coming out… got some movement skills in him.” (38:10–40:19, Brad Holmes)
  • The "rabbit out of the hat" moment: signing Za'Darius Smith (referred to as "Big Z").
  • On edge rushers:
    • "If you're not good in the middle, I don't care what you've got on the edges... that's a hard life." (43:13, Brad Holmes)

• Receiver Draft Gems

  • On drafting Isaac Tesla and his unique toughness as a physical receiver with QB chops.
    • “He’s tough, he’s tough on the outside, he can stretch it, he’s got instincts and he’s a hands catcher.” (44:39, Brad Holmes)

2. Nico Collins: Leadership, Growth & Houston Texans Hopes

(Nico Collins Interview | 48:52–74:44)

• Year Five—The Leadership Jump

  • On feeling like a veteran and paying forward his experience:
    • “It's a blessing...a great role model, you know, for the guys that's coming in... lead by example.” (49:20, Nico Collins)

• Modeling the Game After Mike Evans

  • Describes learning and adapting from bigger-bodied WRs: Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones.
    • Meeting Mike Evans at the Pro Bowl:
      • “Mike Evans, that's my idol... I've been watching Mike Evans since Texas A&M...” (51:05, Nico Collins)

• Staying Healthy and Leveling Up

  • Chronicles his own injury struggles (“groins, hamstrings, soft tissue injuries”) and the shift to Pilates and yoga for longevity.
    • “You just inspired a 40 year old man… I got a phone number for somebody for Pilates because I’ve been having back problems.” (54:49, Chris Long)

• 2024 Playoff Exit Reflections

  • On coming so close:
    • “Every loss we had last year was definitely that feeling. Like, we right there… that hunger, that chip on our shoulder…” (56:10, Nico Collins)

• The Tank Dell Injury

  • Emotional recounting of losing teammate Tank Dell, and its locker room impact:
    • “For him to go down like that, man, it was a...gut punch... missing that missing piece, man.” (58:06, Nico Collins)
  • On CJ Stroud’s leadership and emotional intelligence.

• Developing Young Receivers & Scheme Adjustments

  • Excitement about Jaden Higgins: “Remind me of Mike Evans…dude's nice, man. The sky's the limit for him.” (63:30, Nico Collins)
  • On learning a new offense (Nick Kaylee OC):
    • “Every offense was different, different terms… It’s just like going to the next grade… just learning the whole new office, new scheme." (65:16–66:37, Nico Collins)

• Going Against Texans Defense

  • Describes the defense's speed and violence:
    • “They got something called the kill zone…don't get caught in the kill zone.” (67:49, 67:59, Nico Collins)
  • On Stingley: “Doesn’t panic, play the ball well. Great ball skills.” (68:21, Nico Collins)

• Most Underrated Teammates

  • Shouts out Caleb and Denico Autry (“Autry’s a dog...62 career sacks. That’s a lot. Nobody knows.” (70:09, Chris Long))

• D'Amico Ryans’ Influence

  • “That’s one dude you’ll run through a wall for, man… all he coaches, just relentless swarm and just compete.” (70:41, Nico Collins)

• Texans' Celebrity Fans & Houston Culture

  • Enjoys encounters with Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Bun B, and Andre Johnson at Texans events.

3. Lighter Fare: NFL, Lifestyle, and Off-the-Field Banter

Zyn, Nicotine, and the New Vices

(05:27–08:20)

• Chris and Reed warn about the appeal and risks of nicotine pouches (“Zyn is gonna be something in like 15, 20 years...they’re gonna have [class-action] commercials for Zyn.” – Reed, 05:38).
• “The nicotine pouch thing has become a real vessel for these industries, man. We’re gonna get an entire new generation hooked...” (07:38, Chris Long)

Cannabis & Moderation

(10:54–15:52)

• Candid discussion on "smoking mids" (lower-potency cannabis) for a more manageable high.
  • “I just think the 30-something's too much on the regular... that's weekend bud for me.” (13:48–13:54, Chris Long)

Vegas Misadventures & Observations

(74:57–86:17)

• Reed recounts a surprise Vegas trip:
  • “We went to a club... got to see 2 Chainz perform...he didn't go on until 2:30 in the morning…I'm realizing I'm getting a little bit old.” (77:07, Reed)
• Losing a debit card and speculating on the thief’s journey, reading off the chain of frivolous small purchases across the city.
• “Purgatory is like...the last day in Vegas when all your shit’s packed…just going through the motions trying to occupy some time.” (78:24–78:39, Chris Long)
• Vegas social commentary: casinos, shows, slot machines at the airport, and the general chaos of the Strip.

Content Recommendation: Tom Segura’s “Bad Thoughts”

(88:20–93:34)

• Chris’s enthusiastic, stoned review: “Doing something like this, I feel like, is a big risk…The hit rate was incredible…everything was hilarious.” (88:44–92:52, Chris Long)
• Reed weighs in on the humor spectrum (“I just feel like white humor and black humor... a little bit different.” (90:40, Reed))

Closing NFL Take: Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 Outlook

(93:57–100:29)

• Reed’s theory: Now-married Aaron Rodgers will have a career-year thanks to spending more time in the team facility.
  • “My prediction is Aaron Rodgers is probably gonna spend the most time he’s ever spent in his life at the facility. And a quarterback spending that much time…is only gonna equal better results.” (94:47–95:15, Reed)
• Chris’s counterpoint: Stability at QB can raise a team’s floor, but “it’s a big leap of faith…also a big leap of faith to think…second year off an Achilles, usually that’s better…but it’s uncharted territory with a guy coming off an Achilles in his 40s.” (97:29–98:54, Chris Long)
• Steelers as a potential surprise team: “Steelers are probably gonna be, like, formidable this year…Not gonna be an easy win.” (97:01, Reed)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Brad Holmes on "next man up":
  • “That next man up thing is cliche sometimes…but like, it truly, man...what we're all about, man, is sort of just looking adversity in the face and staring right at it.” (24:17, Brad Holmes)
• Nico Collins on CJ Stroud’s best throw:
  • “Deep ball for sure...just dropping in your hand...it's a soft touch, not like a bullet.” (61:31, Nico Collins)
• Chris Long on Vegas Purgatory:
  • “You wanna know what purgatory is? Like, not quite hell, not quite heaven...it's the last day in Vegas when all your shit's packed and you’re just going through the motions trying to occupy some time.” (78:24, Chris Long)
• Nico Collins on the Texans Defense:
  • “They got something called the kill zone…Don't get caught in the kill zone.” (67:49, Nico Collins)
• On D’Amico Ryans as a coach:
  • “That's one dude you'll run through a wall for, man. All he coaches [is] just relentless swarm and just compete, man.” (70:41, Nico Collins)
• Chris Long on “Bad Thoughts”:
  • "Everything was hilarious. I thought Tom did a great job. Definitely watch that…grab some weekend weed." (92:52, Chris Long)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lions’ Injury Management & Roster Challenges: 21:04–25:03
• Coaching Transitions, Staff Building: 25:03–27:43
• Replacing Frank Ragnow: 33:13–38:00
• State of the Defensive Line: 40:19–43:59
• Brad Holmes on Drafting Isaac Teslas: 43:59–46:32
• Nico Collins on Becoming a Vet: 49:20–50:10
• Lessons from Mike Evans, Career Jump: 51:05–52:25
• Body Maintenance, Pilates Chat: 53:02–54:57
• Losing Tank Dell & CJ Stroud’s Leadership: 58:06–61:06
• 'Kill Zone' on Defense: 67:49–68:05
• D’Amico Ryans’ Approach: 70:38–72:07
• Vegas Stories & Casino Satire: 74:57–86:17
• Aaron Rodgers Theory: 93:57–100:29

Tone & Style

Energetic, irreverent, self-deprecating, and often heartfelt. The episode leaps between sharp X’s & O’s football insight and laugh-out-loud digression—with both guests and hosts never afraid to peel back the curtain on NFL life or personal habits.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Lions fans: Brad Holmes gives unfiltered honesty about the unexpectedly tough injury landscape, the philosophy of internal continuity, and the importance of ex-player coaches, pointing to another gritty year ahead—even with coordinator turnover.
• Texans fans: Nico Collins is a humble star, dedicated to mentorship, and bullish on both the offense’s new wrinkles and the defense’s championship potential. Positive vibes and high expectations for the “kill zone” unit under D’Amico Ryans.
• NFL junkies and casual fans alike will appreciate the blend of inside football, street-smart health advice (avoid Zyn!), and the soul of a locker-room—full of banter, roasting, and real talk.

End of Summary — Compiled and formatted for NFL fans and podcast listeners seeking a comprehensive recap of this episode of Green Light with Chris Long.