The Detroit Lions have started the 2025 season looking every bit like a contender, and with the NFL trade deadline set for November 4, speculation is already heating up about potential roster moves. One intriguing name being linked to Detroit is Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a three-time Pro Bowler with a $94 million deal.
USA Today’s Nate Davis recently spotlighted ten players to watch ahead of the deadline, pairing each with a possible landing spot. For Simmons, he suggested the Lions as a team that might take a serious look.
Davis pointed to Detroit’s dominant performance in their primetime win over Baltimore as evidence the Lions are Super Bowl-caliber. Still, he noted that injuries and lack of depth hurt the defense in 2024, and with Aidan Hutchinson commanding more double teams, Simmons could be the perfect interior force to complement him.
A Luxury, Not a Necessity
Detroit’s defensive tackle room isn’t exactly bare. Veteran D.J. Reader and rookie first-rounder Tyleik Williams have handled starting duties well, and Alim McNeill is expected back from an ACL injury later in the year. On paper, that’s enough to keep the Lions steady inside.
But Simmons is a rare talent. He posted five sacks and 45 quarterback pressures last season, continuing his streak of Pro Bowl appearances in three of the last four years. His ability to collapse the pocket and plug the run would give Detroit one of the NFL’s most intimidating defensive lines.
The Lions have the draft capital and about $28.9 million in cap space available, giving them the flexibility to at least explore the Titans’ asking price. The real hurdle, however, would be financial planning. Detroit is working toward a massive contract extension with Hutchinson, and taking on Simmons’ $20 million-plus annual cap hits could complicate that process.
Edge Rusher a More Practical Target
While Simmons would be a dream addition, Detroit’s bigger issue may be on the edge. The team passed on big-name signings this offseason, instead banking on Josh Paschal’s development and Marcus Davenport’s bounce-back. That gamble hasn’t paid off: Paschal is on the reserve/NFI list and Davenport is sidelined with a chest injury.
With Hutchinson carrying the load alone, an edge rusher feels like the more realistic move. Possible trade candidates include Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson, if the team shifts direction after Joe Burrow’s injury, or the New York Giants’ former first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.
For now, Simmons remains an unlikely but fascinating scenario. If the Lions want to take a swing, though, it may be on the edge rather than inside.
