Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks with reporters about the third day of OTAs Thursday, May 25, 2023. Near the end of the press conference Campbell had fun taking a few questions about his t-shirt with GM Brad Holmes on the front.

Detroit Lions 'Struggled' Filling One of Biggest Offseason Needs

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated May 6, 2025 3:33 PM ET

The Detroit Lions need to give Aidan Hutchinson some help. General Manager Brad Holmes seems to understand the defense needs to upgrade its edge rush presence opposite its wunderkind talent coming off a season-ending leg injury, yet the franchise largely sat out the top of the market at the position this offseason.

While the Lions brought back Marcus Davenport, Detroit didn’t invest a pick in the NFL Draft before tabbing Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round, which isn’t exactly a significant commitment to bolster a position that faded down the stretch last season amid seemingly endless injuries across the defense.

Detroit Lions’ Biggest Question Revealed

CBS Sports NFL analyst Cody Benjamin put together a list of each team’s biggest offseason question, including suggesting that the Lions haven’t done enough to help Hutchinson.

“The Lions struggled to find a reliable partner (and then replacement) for their star pass rusher throughout 2024,” Benjamin writes for CBS . “And it’s arguable they still need to address that spot. Still, the offense looks to be in solid shape even after Ben Johnson’s departure, with rookie Tate Ratledge joining Jared Goff’s all-star supporting cast in the trenches.”

Aidan Hutchinson runs out of the tunnel during the Detroit Lions season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field in Detroit, on Sunday, Sept. 8. 2024.

How Detroit conducted the NFL Draft is quizzical given the organization admitting that there is a need to fill opposite Hutchinson, especially given how deep a class it was at the position.

Likewise, the likes of Josh Sweat, Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Leonard Floyd, and Dayo Odeyingbo signed elsewhere with minimal, if any interest from the Lions.

Detroit is betting big that Hutchinson immediately returns to form off his injury and that the defense at large returning to health will be all it takes for the Lions to regain their teeth on that side of the ball. Whether it turns out to be a winning gamble remains to be seen, but it is certainly a questionable offseason strategy given the outsized impact of the position.

Oct 13, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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