In a stunning turn of events, the Detroit Lions’ 2024-25 season came to an abrupt and disappointing halt. Despite dominating the regular season and securing the coveted No. 1 seed, they fell short against the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The team’s lack of depth and mounting injuries, particularly on the defensive side, ultimately led to their untimely defeat.
As we all know, championships are built in the trenches, a principle proven by the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl LIX victory. This offseason, the Lions could be setting their sights on a major acquisition to strengthen their defensive line and compete with the elite teams like Philadelphia. A blockbuster trade might be on the horizon, and one name currently making waves is Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
PFF suggests a trade for Lions involving Browns EDGE Myles Garrett
Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus recently suggested a trade that could “shake up the offseason,” highlighting the potential for the Lions to trade for Garrett. He writes, “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 pointed out that Detroit’s pass rush struggled when Hutchinson was sidelined with an early injury in 2024, ranking just 23rd in pass-rush grade (64.0) from Week 6 onward. “Adding Garrett to the mix would be a nightmare for offenses, as well as provide Garrett with the chance to compete for a title,” Cameron added.
Garrett himself has expressed a desire to leave Cleveland this offseason, citing his wish to compete for a Super Bowl. With Detroit’s recent surge as one of the NFL’s top Super Bowl contenders, the Lions would likely be an attractive destination for him.
Bringing Garrett in would make the Lions’ defensive line the top in the NFL
If they were to acquire Garrett, the Lions could boast the league’s most formidable defensive line. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year would team up with Hutchinson, creating a terrifying pass-rushing duo. Garrett has consistently been among the league’s top defenders, with 12+ sacks in each of the last five seasons and four First-Team All-Pro selections, along with five straight Pro Bowl appearances.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson continues to establish himself as one of the NFL’s best young defensive talents. After a strong rookie campaign with 9.5 sacks in 2022, he followed up with 11.5 sacks in his second year. In 2024, he was on track for a career-best season before an unfortunate injury ended his campaign early. If Hutchinson can return to form, pairing him with Garrett could give the Lions a championship-caliber defensive front.
How much would it take to trade for Garrett?
But here’s the reality—acquiring Garrett won’t come cheap. A player of his caliber would demand at least a first-round pick, possibly additional high-value draft picks, and potentially even a key player.
Moreover, Garrett is under a five-year, $125 million contract that expires in 2026, and he’ll likely be looking for a hefty contract extension. If Detroit were to make this move, they’d need to offer Garrett a new deal that could exceed $100 million, with an annual salary north of $30 or $40 million.
With the Lions dealing with salary cap constraints, a trade for Garrett may seem out of reach. But if they’re serious about fortifying their defense and improving their Super Bowl chances, making a push for Garrett should definitely be part of their offseason conversation.
