The Detroit Lions were optimistic about breaking their Super Bowl drought in 2024, but the team faced yet another playoff letdown with a defeat against the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.
Luckily, the team is well-placed to enhance the roster this offseason and strive for another postseason run in 2025. According to Over the Cap, the Lions are estimated to possess approximately $45 million in cap space when free agency begins next month.
A significant area of requirement for the Lions is edge rusher. Aidan Hutchinson was the team’s sack leader, despite experiencing a season-ending injury early in October.
Nonetheless, Marcus Davenport is set to enter free agency and is not expected to return after being sidelined for most of the season because of an injury. In addition, Za’Darius Smith is 32 years old and has just one year remaining on his contract.
A significant area of requirement for the Lions is edge rusher. Despite suffering a season-ending injury at the start of October, Aidan Hutchinson topped the team in sacks.
Nevertheless, Marcus Davenport is expected to enter free agency and probably won’t return after being sidelined for nearly the entire season because of injury. Additionally, Za’Darius Smith is 32 years old and has just one year remaining on his contract.
Matt Johnson from Sportsnaut has recently pinpointed a free agent that each team ought to acquire. For the Lions, Johnson pinpointed Los Angeles Chargers free agent Khalil Mack as a possible target.
Concerning Mack’s suitability in Detroit, Johnson stated the following:
In what is shaping up to be the final season of a storied career, Khalil Mack certainly wants to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. He’s also demonstrated to be most effective when paired with another high-end pass rusher. Putting him on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson would take the Detroit Lions pass rush to another level. Mack earned a 90.4 PFF grade this past season, excelling as both a run defender and pass rusher. He’s the perfect final piece to add to the Lions defensive line and likely would be willing to sign a one-year deal, giving Detroit long-term financial flexibility
In 2024, Mack accumulated 39 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss, and 15 hits on the quarterback. As noted by Johnson, the veteran achieved an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 90.4, placing fifth out of 211 qualified edge rushers.
Mack will be 34 by the time free agency begins, yet the veteran has not exhibited any signs of deceleration. Mack received his ninth Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and has recorded double-digit sacks in five separate seasons.
Spotrac estimates that Mack will secure a three-year contract valued at $23.6 million per year. Nonetheless, Mack has not advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs, so the veteran might agree to a pay cut to join a competitive team.
Teaming Mack with Hutchinson would create one of the league’s most intimidating pass-rush duos for the Lions. Mack recorded a career-high 17 sacks in 2023 alongside Joey Bosa on the Chargers, so pairing with another elite pass rusher might yield comparable outcomes.