The Detroit Lions were seen as the top contenders for Super Bowl LIX throughout most of the 2024 season, but a series of defensive injuries eventually derailed one of the NFL’s most well-assembled teams.
The squad that truly clinched the Super Bowl — the Philadelphia Eagles — achieved this through one of the most powerful defensive displays in league history. Alex Kay from Bleacher Report thinks the Lions might learn from Philadelphia’s strategy as they prepare for another attempt in 2025.
Kay anticipates that the Lions will acquire Eagles standout Milton Williams, who is among the leading defensive tackles set to enter free agency. This was his perspective on Detroit taking one of the league’s emerging interior pass rushers from the reigning Super Bowl champions.
It’s difficult to envision the Eagles managing to match Williams’ market worth, which may reach up to $15 million annually. Although he has been crucial to their achievements, he is somewhat of a luxury for a team with more urgent gaps to address and contracts to distribute following their victory of the Lombardi Trophy.
The Detroit Lions would be a perfect fit for Williams. He would not only strengthen a defensive line that fell apart last season due to multiple injuries, but he’d also be perfectly positioned to excel and compete for additional Super Bowls alongside a top-tier edge defender in Aiden Hutchinson.
Expected Agreement: Four years, $50 million
The Lions have already put substantial resources into their defensive line, featuring Alim McNeill, who was selected just one pick before Williams in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In October, Detroit signed McNeill to a four-year, $97 million extension, which should provide insight into Williams’ market value. Kay estimates $12.5 million annually for Williams, but the 25-year-old might easily command around $20 million in AAV on the open market.
It’s reasonable to wonder if the Lions would choose to allocate that level of resources on another defensive tackle, particularly with star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson set for a landmark extension soon. Detroit might have a more affordable internal alternative in one of their free agents: Levi Onwuzurike, whom Spotrac estimates will earn approximately $4.5 million annually on his next contract.
The Eagles are in a challenging situation, as two other key players on their defense — EDGE Josh Sweat and linebacker Zack Baun — also need new contracts. The Eagles are already positioned close to the highest in the NFL for actual cash expenditures for 2025, therefore, regardless of the salary cap, it’s very improbable that owner Jeffrey Lurie will consent to the level of guaranteed funds necessary to retain all players.
Philly is anticipated to offer compromises at some point, probably aiming to secure a 2026 compensatory pick, and with the skilled Moro Ojomo and Thomas Booker IV available, it is assumed that Williams departs and earns more than expected as a free agent.
If a return to Philly isn’t in the cards, the Lions could be a suitable destination, as Detroit’s Super Bowl opportunity remains wide open for the foreseeable future.