The Detroit Lions defense needed help off the edge and in the secondary, where injuries and roster deficiencies combined to leave them lacking depth and high-end talent at both positions.
But instead of going after a big fish like Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals or taking a smaller swing, the Lions made a puzzling choice. They chose to do nothing.
The New York Jets sold off major players on their defense in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, which put edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson in the spotlight leading up to the deadline.
“Spotlight on the Jets in the final 75 minutes of the deadline after two massive deals,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler posted to X. “Teams say New York wants a 2nd for EDGE Jermaine Johnson, who has expected to stay with the team.”
The former first-round pick and Pro Bowler would have been some sort of answer across from Aidan Hutchinson, but after losing to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at home and falling to 5-3, the Lions instead chose inaction.
The move tracks with the team’s choice not to re-sign Za’Darius Smith to a contract this preseason, letting him leave for the Philadelphia Eagles before his eventual retirement.
Detroit now has only free agency by which it can add playmakers to a defense that is in clear need of some.
Lions Make Move to Add Guard After Injury Along O-Line
GettyHead coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
The Lions could have also used some help along the offensive line after losing guard Christian Mahogany to a broken ankle in Week 9 against Minnesota.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Mahogany will be sidelined “a long time” with the injury, which is bad news for a unit that had already taken a step back from the dominant force it was the two years prior.
Detroit did make a move to add to the line by inking rookie guard Jack Conley to the practice squad.
“They picked up rookie guard Jack Conley ahead of 4pm EST, and he lands on their practice squad amidst Mahogany’s long road to recovery,” Candace Pedraza of FanSided reported. “This signals that the team is likely going to slide Trystan Colon or Kingsley Eguakun onto the line ahead of Week 10.”
The Cleveland Browns were potentially sellers of two multiple-time Pro Bowlers in guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, but Detroit chose not to make attempts to land either of those players and will now rely on what was already thin depth in the offensive line room.
Lions Lack of Aggression at NFL Trade Deadline Doesn’t Line Up With Dan Campbell’s Personality, On-Field Strategy
GettyDetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Detroit has won the NFC North Division the past two seasons and hasn’t shied away from big moves before, such as trading for Smith ahead of last year’s deadline.
Campbell is aggressive by nature in everything he does, including play-calling, so it was curious to see the Lions remain entirely inactive ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday.
Detroit will take on the Washington Commanders in Week 10, a game they must have as 8.5-point favorites with QB Jayden Daniels out with a dislocated elbow.
Lions Make Puzzling Call on Edge-Rusher at NFL Trade Deadline