It may seem highly unlikely, but the father of an All-Pro edge rusher has expressed interest in the idea of his son joining the Detroit Lions to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Despite a broken leg in Week 6, Hutchinson’s 2024 season has been impressive, as he’s still ranked among the top 25 in quarterback pressures and top 20 among edge rushers. Za’Darius Smith has stepped up in Hutchinson’s absence, recording three sacks in four games and ranking third in pressures over that span. While it’s expected that Smith will return to the Lions next season, the team will likely be searching for a long-term edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson in the future.
Though it seems unlikely that Detroit would make a big move to add a top-tier edge rusher due to salary cap concerns and the future contract demands of such a player, hypothetical scenarios continue to arise.
In a recent appearance on the “Life In The Stands” podcast, Terrence Parsons, father of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, was asked where he would like to see his son traded if a long-term deal with Dallas doesn’t materialize. The Lions made his list of top three destinations.
“My top three teams: Kansas City, Detroit, and Pittsburgh,” Terrence said. “I know Pittsburgh fans might be shocked, but him and (T.J.) Watt together would be like cheating. And him and (Aidan) Hutchinson in Detroit, that would be like cheating too. I love it. And then Kansas City, that’s just who they are right now.”
Micah Parsons is set to play under a fifth-year option in 2025 and is primed for a massive contract that will place him at or near the top of the edge rusher market. With the Cowboys facing a choice between committing long-term to Parsons or focusing on the contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, a trade involving Parsons is not entirely out of the question.
Detroit showed significant interest in Parsons during the 2021 NFL Draft, even considering selecting him with the No. 7 overall pick, before ultimately opting for Penei Sewell. Parsons was taken by the Cowboys five picks later. While a trade to Detroit seems remote, it’s still possible, and fans shouldn’t rule it out entirely.
