While they ultimately fell short of their biggest goal of appearing (and ideally winning) in the first Super Bowl of Detroit Lions history, the 2024 season was a massive success for Dan Campbell’s team.
After all, they had a 15-2 record, which tied for the best mark in the NFL along with the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, it still wasn’t good enough to accomplish their goals.
So, if last season’s team couldn’t get the job done, which changes will the Lions have to make this offseason to improve? How about trading for one of the NFL’s best players?
Detroit Lions mentioned as potential Myles Garrett trade landing spot
Aside from losing their offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs, the Detroit Lions enter the offseason in a strong position. They have their franchise quarterback locked in through 2028 and have several young up-and-comers on the rise.
Detroit also has enough salary cap space to make the type of splashy roster addition that will have many picking the Lions as top Super Bowl contenders next season.
Recently, ESPN’s Dan Graziano took a look at whether the Lions could afford to spend big on another elite pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. The NFL insider says it’s “not wild to imagine” such a move, even if it would be a bit “out of character” for Lions GM Brad Holmes. Yet, in doing so, Graziano threw Myles Garrett’s name out there as a potential trade target.
“The answer to both questions is yes. The Lions are absolutely fine on cap space and could bring in a big-name edge rusher (*cough* Myles Garrett *cough*) if they want — even with superstar Aidan Hutchinson coming back from his leg injury and extension-eligible. They’re in a win-now window with most of their other key guys locked in long term. So yes, it’s not wild to imagine a splash signing. But it’s also true that it would be a little out of character for this Lions team to take that kind of a huge swing on an external addition. Given the strategic and targeted way they’ve built this roster in the Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes era, I would say it’s more likely they bring back Za’Darius Smith.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Detroit Lions/Myles Garrett
Trading for Garrett would be a significant investment by the Lions’ front office this offseason. Yet, it could also turn out to be a very wise one.
The Lions expect to be selecting in the 20s in next year’s NFL Draft too, so even if they had to part with two first-round picks in the 20s to land Garrett, it could pay major dividends. Plus, wouldn’t they rather have a proven talent who’s had over 10 sacks per season across the past seven years than take a chance on a prospect who may not see much playing time in his debut year?
