The Detroit Lions remain in a tight NFC North race with the Green Bay Packers, and one of their biggest offseason goals was to strengthen their pass rush beside Aidan Hutchinson. That search may already be paying off, with Al-Quadin Muhammad emerging as a solid contributor on the opposite edge.
“We finally have a true partner for Hutchinson,” said defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. “Muhammad has been incredible — he’s lined up everywhere from the nose to the edge and handled each role like a pro.”
While Muhammad’s rise is encouraging, Detroit continues to explore additional pass-rushing help. They’ve reportedly shown interest in names like Trey Hendrickson and Jaelan Phillips, though Phillips’ injury history has raised some concerns.
“Phillips’ athleticism has dipped a bit due to injuries,” noted ESPN analyst Matt Bowen. “Still, at 6-foot-5, he has the length and strength teams want in an edge defender. Over his career, he’s produced 25 sacks and 117 pressures — solid numbers when healthy.”
However, the Lions might prefer to avoid a trade altogether and instead sign a veteran who just became available after being released by their division rival, the Chicago Bears.
“DeMarcus Walker likely wouldn’t have the same heavy workload he had in Chicago, but he wouldn’t cost Detroit any draft picks either,” wrote Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City. “A short-term, affordable deal could make a lot of sense. As a rotational pass rusher — maybe the fourth or fifth in line — Walker would be a smart, low-risk addition.”
Financially and strategically, the move fits. Signing Walker would allow Detroit to bolster its defensive depth without giving up future assets, while adding a proven veteran hungry to make an impact.
In the end, opting for a cap-friendly signing like Walker instead of trading for a potentially injured Phillips could be the more calculated approach. A deal like that would give Detroit a deeper, more flexible defense at a fraction of the cost.
