The Detroit Lions defense has a significant coverage gap after losing elite edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury. Before Hutchinson was even carted off the field, speculation ran rampant over who the Lions could acquire to replace him. But instead of panicking and trading for a star defensive end, perhaps the Lions should hold off for now.
Why the Detroit Lions Shouldn’t Trade for a Star DE
The Lions are focused on making a Super Bowl run this year and with Hutchinson in the lineup that goal seemed well within reach. But there is no doubt the loss of Hutchinson was disastrous. His value to the Lions is more than just that of an enormously talented athlete. His looming presence on the field, his leadership, and his passion will be hard to duplicate. Although trading for a big-name star could strengthen the defense and keep the Lions’ dream of a Super Bowl championship alive, it may not be in the team’s best interest to do so.
Potential Trade Candidates
Major talents including Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates. Immediately after Hutchinson’s injury, Crosby was viewed as the top trade candidate for the Lions. A multiple-year nominee for Defensive Player of the Year, Crosby was credited with 14.5 sacks last year. He was the Pro Bowl Defensive MVP in 2022. Throughout his career, Crosby has 58 sacks and 344 tackles with 219 solo tackles. It’s an impressive resume by any standard.
However, acquiring Crosby in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders carries a hefty price tag. In March of 2022, Crosby signed a four-year contract extension with the Raiders. His $95 million contract includes $53 million in guarantees. Crosby’s base salary is $25 million this year, $22 million next year, and the remainder paid in 2026.
Garret, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year is currently in a tough spot with the 1-6 Cleveland Browns. Embattled quarterback Deshawn Watson is lost for the season with a torn Achilles. The Browns fans are in an uproar over the chaotic team performance and the losing record. While Garrett may be open to a trade, his 5-year $125 million contract might be cost-prohibitive for the Lions.
A less costly option might be Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals veteran. In July of 2023, the Bengals agreed to a one-year contract extension. The $21 million extension guarantees that Hendrickson will be with the team through the 2025 season. Hendrickson is also a talented Pro Bowl-caliber player who is credited with 22 sacks in his career with the Bengals.
The Cost Might Be Too High
Here’s why it could be a bad move for the Lions to pursue any of these top-rated players. Acquiring a highly sought-after talent would significantly impact the Lions’ salary cap. In addition to the salary cap issue, a trade would likely involve multiple draft picks and potentially require a trade of a key member of the current Lions team.
If the negotiations require a trade, it would undoubtedly mean sacrificing a Lions player who has been a contributing member of the team. Can the Lions afford to part with anyone on the current roster who’s been responsible for their success this season? If the trade does require multiple compensatory picks, that would cripple the Lions’ draft options for years to come.
What if a trade takes place and the player struggles to fit with the Lions’ defense or doesn’t fit the team culture? Lions Executive VP and General Manager Brad Holmes has done an outstanding job of building this team from the ground up. Holmes and Coach Dan Campbell have created a team culture and identity that is second to none in the league. Every player Holmes selected through the draft or free agency had to meet a certain standard. He wanted players who embodied the spirit of the city of Detroit with the mental and physical stamina to fight back and overcome adversity.
The Lions May Not Need An Immediate Trade
When Hutchinson went down with a devastating injury in the game against Dallas, a lesser team might have folded. The Lions were already ahead by a score of 34-6. But this team never let up. Instead, the team recovered to continue their scoring onslaught.
The defense dug deep to prevent the Cowboys from reaching the end zone. Brian Branch had two interceptions off Dak Prescott. Kerby Joseph came up with an interception off backup quarterback Cooper Rush. The Lions won the game by a final score of 47-9.
In week 7, Branch had an interception in the game against the Minnesota Vikings, bringing his season total to four. Although the Lions led by a score of 21-10 at halftime, a 4th quarter-scoring burst put the Vikings ahead 29-28 late in the game. But once again, Aaron Glenn’s defense came through with another strong performance that forced the Vikings to go three and out, giving the Lions a chance to score.
Cool, calm, and collected, Jared Goff led the offense on an eight-play drive that put them in scoring position with plenty of time to spare. As the seconds wound down on the game clock, kicker Jake Bates booted a game-winning 44-yard field goal through the uprights.
The Vikings got the ball back but Trevor Nowaske came through with a huge sack on Sam Darnold to end the game. The Lions won by a score of 31-29 and are currently 2-0 in games without Hutchinson on the field. Can the Lions afford to make a risky trade move right now? Is it even necessary? Or, do the Lions already have the players this team needs to cover for Hutchinson’s absence in the short term?
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
