ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions team president and CEO Rod Wood will retire before the start of next season. Wood will remain with the Lions until his successor is hired, the team announced on Wednesday.
Wood has served as team president since replacing Tom Lewand in 2015. His working relationship with the Ford family spanned a great deal of time, and he had a role in the hiring of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes, leading to the team’s turnaround. Before joining the Lions, Wood worked for three decades in finance and wealth management and was the head of Ford Estates, the family office, for a decade.
The team executive was heavily involved with the business operations, as well. He was credited for having a major hand in the improvements to Ford Field during his tenure, as well. Wood also was integral in the improvements to the team headquarters in Allen Park, and was an advocate in the charge to host the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit.
While a self-described non-football guy from his introductory press conference, it’s safe to say Wood found a way to leave a positive mark on the franchise during his time and for the future. He did so while serving across three different general managers, two owners and three head coaches.
“I want to thank the Ford family and ultimately Lions fans everywhere for trusting me to lead the Detroit Lions for the last 11 seasons,” Wood said in a statement. “It has been an absolute thrill for me to lead this organization, and I am proud of what we have accomplished over that decade-plus.
“I am most proud of where I am leaving this organization, in the capable hands of Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.”
The team said Wood and his wife, Susan, are excited to spend more time with their children and grandchildren.
The Lions will immediately begin a “global” search for Wood’s replacement. They said the search will be led by the Russell Reynolds Associates firm in the announcement. Wood played a role in the business and financial side, but also had a working relationship with the front office. He was a trusted voice for owner Sheila Ford Hamp, and now the Lions will have to hire a new team president for the first time in more than a decade this offseason.
Wood regularly met with reporters at the annual league meetings at the end of March. He was even quoted earlier Wednesday [when the Lions announced an extension with radio partner 97.1 The Ticket](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2026/02/detroit-lions-and-971-the-ticket-announce-multi-year-partnership.html).