In late September, I wrote about the Detroit Lions potentially overestimating their edge rusher depth during the offseason and how that might come back to haunt them. At the time, it didn’t exactly sit well with fans, but now that the season has wrapped up, it seems the Lions faithful might be coming around to my point of view.
The Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated in their Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs on Sunday just how crucial a strong pass rush and a deep defensive line are to success. They racked up six sacks on Patrick Mahomes and limited the Chiefs to a mere 49 rushing yards. It was a display of dominance that highlighted the importance of defensive strength.
While the Lions have shown promise in stopping the run and putting pressure on quarterbacks, consistently disrupting quarterbacks remains a glaring issue. This is why, heading into the offseason, the Lions need to commit fully to building a dominant defensive line.
The first step in that direction? Go all-in on acquiring Myles Garrett. This is a move that could instantly transform the Lions’ defense. Imagine Garrett and Aidan Hutchinson rushing off the edges, with Alim McNeill pushing up the middle and Isaiah Buggs clogging up space. This defensive line could easily become the best in the NFL.
At this point, the price can’t be the only consideration. If the Lions are serious about contending for a Super Bowl, they need to make a Super Bowl-winning move. That means offering the Cleveland Browns a compelling package of picks to reset their franchise.
In fact, we outlined a trade package last week, and I still believe it’s more than worth the Browns accepting. The Lions could offer two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Hendon Hooker for Garrett and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. It’s a deal that could pay off huge for Detroit as they aim for the championship.
More news….
Detroit Lions Bring On Former Alabama LB as New Linebackers Coach
Shaun Dion Hamilton, former Alabama linebacker, was appointed as the Detroit Lions’ new linebackers coach on Saturday evening. He moves up from his prior position as the assistant linebackers coach.
Hamilton played for Alabama from 2014 to 2017 and was part of two national championship teams (2015 and 2017) with the Crimson Tide. Over his four seasons, he recorded 104 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
Following his senior year, Hamilton was selected by the Washington Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played three seasons with the team before finishing his NFL career with the Lions.
Hamilton began his coaching journey with the Lions in 2022 as a defensive assistant. Since then, he has remained with the Lions coaching staff.
After the Lions’ most successful season in franchise history, Hamilton will take on a larger role with the rising organization. This presents a valuable opportunity for him as he continues to progress in his coaching career.
