The idea of Aidan Hutchinson and Myles Garrett pairing up on the Lions defensive line is enticing, but there's room for grounded, realistic thoughts about it.
Since he made his request to be traded by the Cleveland Browns public, the Detroit Lions have been prominently mentioned as a possible suitor for Myles Garrett. When asked in passing by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press if had any thoughts about playing for the Lions this week on radio row at the Super Bowl, Garrett said "not yet."
Getting right down to it, it's patently unlikely the Lions make a trade for Garrett. The cost would go against their core philosophy of roster-building, giving up multiple draft picks (possibly/likely multiple first-round picks). Acquiring him would also very likely come with signing him to a contract extension. That being said, they should get involved in the conversation with the Browns about Garrett since basically every other upper tier team is lined up to do so.
A huge barrier to a Garrett trade is what it would to the Browns' salary cap situation, and general manager Andrew Berry would have to move off his stance about not trading the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
At the NFL Honors show on Thursday night, Steve Wyche of NFL Network captured Garrett talking to Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and quarterback Jared Goff. That got Lions fans going about what they were talking about, and speculating about a recruiting pitch.
Aidan Hutchinson has realistic thoughts about Lions getting Myles Garrett
Birkett caught up with Hutchinson on the NFL Honors red carpet. Hutchinson re-affirmed his health coming off his broken leg, and the idea he could have played in the Super Bowl this weekend had the Lions gotten there.
"I think so, but you never know," Hutchinson said.
Of course, Birkett wouldn't have been doing his job if he didn't ask Hutchinson about the possibility of teaming up with Garrett.
"Everyone’s asking me about that. I don’t know," Hutchinson said. "I don’t think — you can’t have that many dudes on one D-line, I don’t know. Who knows, but I think it’s very unlikely."
Alim McNeill has gotten a big contract, and Hutchinson himself is lined up for a big contract extension, possibly this offseason. Garrett would be another big investment on the Lions' defensive line, to go with the aforementioned cost in a trade. So while it's a slight buzz kill, it's not up to him and it's "never say never" until Garrett's situation is resolve, Hutchinson knows how this organization operates.
