Will the Lions be active at the trade deadline?

“I love where we’re at,” head coach Dan Campbell said when speaking about the Lions’ situation (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I think the roster is in, I think it’s healthy, I think it’s in a good position. I think we have depth, but like I say [general manager Brad Holmes is] always looking to improve the roster.”

The Lions sit at 5-2 on the year, even with the Packers for the most wins in the NFC North. Topping the division – if not the conference altogether – is once again within reach in 2025. That would point Detroit to a buyer’s stance, with Birkett naming depth in the pass rush department, along with the secondary and at the tight end position as logical targets. Indeed, in the wake of the Aidan Hutchinson extension, it was reported that the Lions’ stance on acquiring defensive help has not changed.

Detroit’s cap setup for future years will include a number of massive commitments for recently extended players. Adding a player with term would be challenging as a result, but the team has over $25M in cap space for this year. Bringing in a rental should therefore be feasible.

Hutchinson’s season-ending injury from last year made an EDGE addition a key priority and resulted in the Za’Darius Smith acquisition. The Lions have not been linked to a trade candidate in 2025 to the same extent they were widely known as Smith’s likeliest destination last season. Nevertheless, there is time until Tuesday afternoon’s deadline to work out a trade.

Campbell added that he and Holmes have “brought up a couple of things” on the trade front recently. As the Lions look to rebound from last year’s playoff disappointment, their health on defense in particular will be worth monitoring. With several key players on that side of the ball due to return shortly, no major moves should be expected.