The idea of the Detroit Lions making a move for a notable edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson is enticing, but on Tuesday from the NFL Combine general manager Brad Holmes all but officially put the kibosh on it when he said “probably not” to an inquiry about being able to bring another high-end edge rusher.
That isn’t to say there aren’t other viable edge rusher options in free agency or on the trade market. It’s just that the realistic target will be lower than Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, etc. Holmes own words on Tuesday, and history he’s shown, tells us edge rusher will not be ignored in terms of a veteran addition and/or a fairly high draft pick.
Grade the trade proposal: Lions add 5-time Pro Bowl pass rusher
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report pitched some potential trade packages for some underrated defensive stars around the league. One pitch of course involved the Lions.
Los Angeles Chargers Get: 2025 fourth-round pick
Detroit Lions Get: Edge Joey Bosa
Davenport noted how Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz told reporters at the combine that he’d love to have Bosa retire as a Charger. Not that Horitz would say anything else, but the reality is Bosa carries a cap hit over $36 million in the final year of his contract. And based on his recent downturn in production, along with trouble staying on the field, he has easily surfaced as a potential cap casualty or a trade candidate.
Davenport noted how the Lions have been mentioned as a potential trade suitor for a number of edge rushers, and if nothing else Bosa would not cost nearly as much to acquire.
“The Detroit Lions have been mentioned as a potential trade partner for any number of edge-rushers, including stars such as Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett. Bosa wouldn’t be nearly as expensive as those names. Playing for arguably the NFC’s most talented team would have to be appealing to him.”
The idea of playing for the Lions should be very appealing to Bosa, and maybe (as Davenport noted) he would benefit a lot from a change of scenery. The question is how much he appeals to them, and his contract would also need to be reworked to lower that huge cap hit for his year. Also, would he want a contract extension of some sort?
If Bosa were to be cut by the Chargers, it’s only a slightly different conversation in regard to the Lions possibly having interest. Giving up anything for him in a trade, even an early Day 3 draft pick, borders on being a no-go.
