When Myles Garret declared he was requesting a trade on Feb 3rd, fans around the league started calling for their favorite teams to acquire the defensive superstar, including many fans of the Detroit Lions. But could trading for Garrett be a mistake for Detroit?
Alright, Detroit faithful, lower your swords and hear me out before you decide I should be crucified. Would Myles Garret and Aidan Hutchinson be an absolutely filthy pass-rushing duo that would trigger every quarterback’s flight or fight response? Yes. Would trading for Myles Garrett instantly make Detroit a Super Bowl favorite? Also yes.
We all just watched the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive front completely dismantle the Chief’s offensive line and put Patrick Mahomes through hell. A Detroit defensive front of Hutchinson, Garrett, Alim McNeill, and DJ Reader would have the same effect against any team in the league. But let’s look at the key pieces of the Eagles’ D-line and see how they were acquired.
The Eagles selected Josh Sweat in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Jalen Carter was taken with the ninth pick of the 2023 NFL draft, and Philly also took Nolan Smith Jr. in the same draft. Would anyone like to guess who Brandon Graham was drafted by? Ah yes, the Eagles in 2010. Philly also drafted Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. I think you can see the point I’m trying to make here. Philadelphia didn’t buy their success in the trenches. They drafted it.
While we’re on the topic of drafting success, I’d be remiss not to mention Brad Holmes and his innate ability to consistently hit home runs on draft night. Below are said home runs.
Just about every single player Brad Holmes has drafted since he became Detroit’s general manager has contributed to the team’s success. His hit rate in the first round is astounding in itself, with every first-round selection making a noticeable impact and becoming a piece of the Lions’ core. Add in his mid to late-round success rate, and he’s been among the top NFL GMs along with Howie Roseman, the GM for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Year in and year out, Brad has identified Detroit’s most significant needs and solved them in the draft. This year’s draft will be no different. The 2025 draft class is full of pass rushers who are at the top of Detroit’s shopping list. Detroit has found success building through the draft and free agency, and acquiring a player like Myles Garrett would cost at least two first-round picks and probably an impact player. That’s just too much of a price for an elite young team like the Lions.
What’s the main side effect of consistent draft success? The cost of resigning your draft success. While the salary cap may not be “real,” and Detroit has some of the most free cap space in the league, trading for Myles Garrett would bankrupt the franchise. Kerby Joseph, Hutch, and Jameson Williams will probably resign this offseason.
While Hutch and Williams can be given 5th-year options, Joseph only has one year remaining on his contract. If a healthy Aidan Hutchinson returns to form, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility for him to end up being the highest-paid defender in the league.
What about Detroit’s infamous 2023 draft class? Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, and Branch are all key players that Holmes will want to retain and will warrant top-of-the-market money.
Sure, someone here or there may take a pay cut, and another few players could restructure their contracts, but ultimately, trading for Myles Garrett doesn’t make sense for Detroit’s long-term success. I’m not naive. Someone somewhere along the line will have to be a casualty and won’t be brought back to Detroit. But trading for Garrett will turn a small cut into an arterial bleed.
Bottom line. Myles Garrett would be a massive addition to the Detroit Lions and almost assuredly put them over the hump and see them potentially hoist the Lombardi trophy for the first time.
However, sacrifices would have to be made, which I believe would be too much. The well of edge rushers is deep in this year’s draft class, and I have faith in Brad Holmes to do what is necessary for sustained success.
I’ve been a Lions fan for almost 15 years now, and I know we all desperately want that Super Bowl appearance more than anything. But sit down for a second and look around. This team that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have assembled isn’t going anywhere. We’ll get there with or without Myles Garrett.
Be sure to keep up with everything in the NFL here at Stadium Rant, and follow along as I continue to cover the Lions throughout this offseason.
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