The Detroit Lions entered the 2024-25 season as one of the league’s dominant teams, securing the No. 1 seed with a stellar regular season. However, their championship aspirations came to a crashing halt in the Divisional Round, where they suffered a shocking loss to the Washington Commanders. The defeat exposed the team’s lack of depth, particularly on the defensive side, which was further exacerbated by injuries.
Successful teams build from the trenches, as showcased by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. With that in mind, Detroit could look to make a major move this offseason to strengthen their defensive front. One potential trade could change the entire landscape of their defense.
Pro Football Focus Links Lions to Myles Garrett Trade
In a recent analysis by Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus (PFF), he examined several trade scenarios that could dramatically shift the NFL offseason. Among them was a hypothetical move involving Cleveland Browns superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett heading to Detroit:
“The Lions would likely jump at the chance to add Garrett to bolster their pass rush and create the most lethal pairing in the NFL with Aidan Hutchinson,” Cameron noted. “After Hutchinson’s injury early in the season, Detroit’s ability to generate pressure dipped significantly—ranking 23rd in team pass-rush grade (64.0) from Week 6 onward. Bringing Garrett into the mix would be a nightmare for opposing offenses and give Garrett the opportunity to compete for a championship.”
Garrett reportedly requested a trade this offseason, motivated by his desire to compete for a Super Bowl. Given Detroit’s status as a top contender in recent years, the Lions could be an ideal destination for the star pass rusher.
Garrett & Hutchinson: A Potentially Dominant Duo
If the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year were to join forces with Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions could boast the league’s most dangerous pass-rushing tandem. Garrett has been a model of consistency, recording at least 12 sacks in each of the past five seasons. His resume includes four First-Team All-Pro selections and five consecutive Pro Bowl nods.
Hutchinson, meanwhile, has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s brightest young defensive stars. He notched 9.5 sacks as a rookie and followed that up with 11.5 in his sophomore season. Before an injury sidelined him in 2024, he was on pace for a career-best season, racking up 7.5 sacks in just five games. With Hutchinson returning to full strength, the addition of Garrett could elevate Detroit’s defense to a championship level.
What Would It Take to Land Garrett?
Acquiring a player of Garrett’s caliber would come at a steep price. The Browns would likely demand at least one first-round pick, along with additional high-value draft selections or a proven impact player.
On top of that, Garrett’s current contract—a five-year, $125 million deal—expires in 2026. Any team trading for him would need to be prepared to offer a lucrative extension, potentially exceeding $30–$40 million per season.
The Lions’ salary cap situation could make this trade difficult to pull off. However, if Detroit is serious about making a Super Bowl run, they may need to explore every possible avenue to bring in a game-changing talent like Garrett.
