The Detroit Lions’ 2024-25 season ended in a major letdown. After dominating the regular season and securing the No. 1 seed, they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Injuries and a lack of depth, particularly on defense, ultimately led to their downfall.
Championships are often decided in the trenches, as proven by the Philadelphia Eagles’ performance in Super Bowl LIX. This offseason, the Lions might be looking to make another significant move to strengthen their defensive line and challenge Philadelphia. A blockbuster trade could be in the works.
Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus recently discussed potential NFL trades that could “shake up the offseason.” He highlighted a trade for Cleveland Browns’ star edge rusher Myles Garrett as one such possibility:
“The Lions would likely seize the opportunity to add Garrett to their pass rush and form the NFL’s most dominant pairing alongside Aidan Hutchinson,” Cameron wrote. “After Hutchinson’s early-season injury, Detroit’s pass rush struggled to create pressure, ranking 23rd in pass-rush grade (64.0) from Week 6 onward. Adding Garrett would devastate opposing offenses and give him a chance to contend for a title.”
Garrett has reportedly asked for a trade this offseason, motivated by his desire to win a Super Bowl. The Lions, one of the top Super Bowl contenders in recent seasons, would be a team Garrett would likely be eager to join.
The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year could form an elite pass-rushing duo with Hutchinson, potentially the best in the league. Garrett has recorded 12 or more sacks in five consecutive seasons, earning four First-Team All-Pro selections and five straight Pro Bowl appearances.
Hutchinson, one of the league’s brightest young defensive stars, posted 9.5 sacks as a rookie in 2022 and 11.5 in his second season. He was on track for his best season in 2024 before an injury cut it short. If Hutchinson can recover fully, the Lions could add Garrett to the opposite side of their defensive line, creating a championship-caliber front.
However, acquiring Garrett wouldn’t be easy. A player of his caliber would likely cost a first-round pick, along with additional premium draft assets and potentially an impact player.
Moreover, Garrett’s five-year, $125 million contract runs through 2026, and he will likely seek a contract extension with a pay raise. If the Lions trade for Garrett, they will have to offer him a deal worth upwards of $100 million, with annual salaries possibly exceeding $30 or $40 million.
Due to salary cap restrictions, a trade for Garrett may not be feasible. However, if the Lions are serious about bolstering their defense and improving their chances of winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl, a trade for Garrett should at least be considered.