Eagles’ dominant performance in the Super Bowl brings a crucial question for the Detroit Lions: What’s missing from their roster to get to the next level? And according to experts Lomas Jansen and Tony Costa, the answer is obvious.
Jansen points directly to the need for a top-tier pass rush, specifically naming Myles Garrett as the key. “It’s pass rush. It’s Myles Garrett,” Jansen states. “And honestly, this year, you could say the missing ingredient was health. Just look at how the Eagles handled Patrick Mahomes. The main reason they won was because they applied pressure with just four defenders. They dropped seven into coverage and never blitzed, harassing Mahomes all game long. They completely took Kansas City out of their rhythm and walked away with the title.”
Costa agrees with Jansen, emphasizing that Brad Holmes and the Lions need to make a bold move this offseason to build a “ferocious front.” He adds, “The Lions are going to face all the top quarterbacks next year. If they want to win the Super Bowl, they’ll have to go through some of these elite quarterbacks, just like the Eagles did last year. The Eagles used their first-round picks to bolster their defensive line, but Holmes hasn’t used his first-round picks the same way. The defensive line needs more reinforcements. Myles Garrett is available, and if it’s not him, it needs to be someone else. The D-line has to get stronger.”
Aidan Hutchinson was the Lions’ leader in sacks this season, despite missing the final 12 games due to a broken leg. Behind him, Za’Darius Smith finished with just four sacks in eight games after being acquired at the trade deadline. Alim McNeill added 3.5 sacks in 14 games before a torn ACL ended his season early.
The Lions are about to face a brutal lineup of elite quarterbacks next season, including Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, and even Jayden Daniels, along with promising young quarterbacks within their own division.
Jansen explains, “You have to be able to apply pressure on quarterbacks. And when it comes to mobile quarterbacks, the key is to keep harassing them. Even if they get out of the pocket, if you’re dropping seven into coverage, knowing you can get to the QB with just four—maybe even three, or drop eight—there’s not much room for them to work with.”
Costa adds that the key takeaway from the Super Bowl for the Lions should be clear: “Go get Myles Garrett.” He continues, “If you’re unsure about adding that many players to the defensive line, just remember—having four strong players up front is the quickest way to disrupt a great quarterback. It’s the best strategy for winning a Super Bowl, and it’s something the Lions don’t have right now.”
According to Costa, Brad Holmes needs to make a bold offseason move, much like the Eagles did last year when they signed Saquon Barkley: “They were aggressive. And that’s what Brad Holmes needs to do now. The Lions’ bold move won’t be signing Saquon Barkley since they already have Jahmyr Gibbs, but their bold move needs to be bringing in a front like Philadelphia’s. It will cost a lot, but the best and most direct way to get there is by adding the best player available: Myles Garrett.”
