In the aftermath of a heartbreaking early playoff exit in 2024, the Detroit Lions are now focusing on ways to elevate their talented roster to Super Bowl contention in 2025. One area that stands out for potential improvement is the pass-rush, and a key decision looms regarding Za’Darius Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract. But beyond that, Detroit also faces the need for depth and a long-term solution to pair with Aidan Hutchinson on the opposite side.
Amid this need, speculation has arisen that the Lions could be a prime destination for Myles Garrett, the superstar edge rusher for the Cleveland Browns. Garrett recently took to social media to demand a trade, and the possibility of him joining Detroit has sparked considerable buzz.
“It’s not a decision I take lightly,” Garrett explained in his trade request while making his rounds at radio row. “It took time and lots of conversation, but just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups…”
Garrett then shared his feelings about the situation, saying, “I have a lot of respect for them, but I just don’t think we’re aligned on where the team is going in the near future.”
The Browns star was also spotted at the NFL Honors show Thursday night, where he interacted with a few Lions players, including Hutchinson and quarterback Jared Goff. The trio’s casual conversation at the ceremony set social media ablaze with excitement from Lions fans, all hoping for Garrett to make his way to Detroit.
Following the event, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press caught up with Hutchinson to get his take on the possibility of acquiring Garrett. While Hutchinson would obviously welcome the idea, he deemed it “very unlikely.”
“Everyone’s asking me about that. I don’t know,” Hutchinson responded when asked about Garrett possibly joining the Lions. “I don’t think — you can’t have that many dudes on one D-line, I don’t know. Who knows, but I think it’s very unlikely.”
And honestly, Hutchinson has a point. A defensive line featuring both Hutchinson and Garrett, along with Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader, would seem almost unfair — the kind of group you’d dream of when building a Super Bowl-caliber defense.
Before Thursday’s event, Birkett had a brief chat with Garrett on radio row, where he asked about the prospect of playing for the Lions. Garrett was noncommittal, responding, “Not yet.”
That said, a Lions-Garrett pairing makes perfect sense. For Garrett, Detroit offers the chance to contend for a Super Bowl, and for the Lions, adding a player of Garrett’s caliber would bring them one step closer to that elusive title.
