The Detroit Lions are one of the most promising NFL teams to rise from the ashes over the past few years, and here’s to hoping that trend continues. But, there’s one weakness in the team that the fanbase would love to see filled before the first snap in September.
Unfortunately, the front office doesn’t seem nearly as concerned about that hole in the lineup. It’s their job to know about these things, so we’re giving them the benefit of the doubt, but it still worries some of the Lions’ fanbase. Hey, Lions fans have been through a lot, so they’re allowed to fret.
Now, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is opening up about the team’s lineup going into the new season, and what he says isn’t going to set easy with those who want to see this position filled.
Should the Detroit Lions Be Sweating Buckets?
When edge Aidan Hutchinson got injured last season, it was a huge ordeal. According to Holmes, speaking in a June 12 interview with Chris Long, the talk of replacing the Lions’ star defensive end was very difficult. Holmes called around and tried to make deals to fill that spot, but it was not easy at all.
Holmes eventually made a mid-season trade to get Browns edge Za’Darius Smith, and Smith was the perfect fill-in for Hutchinson.
Smith is still a free agent, and many Lions followers would like to see him back with the team in 2025. He’s certainly earned his stripes. He seems to want to come back, too. He’s even dating Detroit hip-hop artist Kash Doll.
During an appearance at this year’s BET Awards along side his girlfriend, Smith told USA Today reporters, “We both know where I want to be. Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
Lions GM Brad Homes Does Not Seems Concerned
During his chat with Long, Holmes was asked about where Detroit is with defensive ends and kind of avoided talking it. Instead, he talked about the team’s current lineup and seemed very content with it. He talked about Hutchinson looking “explosive” and Marcus Davenport looking “just as good.” He also raved about Al-Quadin Muhammad playing “good football” and rookie Ahmed Hassanein having “the most production out of all the edge rushers in that class.”
It’s possible that he’s just talking this way to try to get a better deal with Smith or another defensive end. If agents see Holmes acting desperate in the media, they probably realize they can up their price. But, Holmes and everyone’s favorite Metallica fan Dan Campbell learned some hard lessons last season when it came to the team’s depth on defense. I personally think it would be a mistake to not sign Smith. It says a lot that Smith really wants to be in Detroit, and he’s also proved that he’s reliable on the field.
