Lions Need to Save Unhappy Star with Trade as Team Keeps Making Mistakes

Most teams are taking these next few weeks to rest up and enjoy before reporting for training camp in July. The Detroit Lions will be one of the first teams to report, as rookies come in on July 16 and veterans come in on July 19.

While they are looking to have another outstanding season, they could have the chance to add an All-Pro defender after the latest development. On Monday, the Miami Dolphins shipped TE Jonnu Smith, CB Jalen Ramsey, and a 2027 7th-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 5th-round pick. They gave Smith a one-year, $12 million extension for 2025, and Ramsey is going to make $26.6 million.

Shortly after that move, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that over the last few weeks, teams have been discussing whether they could trade for T.J. Watt. Pittsburgh hasn't been willing to trade Watt, but with the moves made today, sources think interest from other teams will increase.

And with Watt potentially on the move, Detroit needs to pounce.

Lions Could Have Chance to Trade for TJ Watt

Watt is entering the final year of a four-year, $112 million deal. He wants an extension and skipped Pittsburgh's minicamp. The Lions have $40 million available in 2025, and that number jumps up to $54 million, according to OvertheCap.

Everyone knows that Aidan Hutchinson is going to get his extension in the near future, but teams find a way to manipulate the cap all the time. They could find a way to push the bigger cap hits down the line in a potential extension for Hutchinson, giving them more wiggle room to trade and extend Watt.

The 30-year-old is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time First-Team All-Pro, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In eight seasons, he has compiled 462 total tackles, 126 TFLs, 225 QB hits, and 108 sacks.

Since 2020, Watt has led the NFL in sacks (73.5) and would help the Lions form one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league with Hutchinson.

Considering it looks like the Steelers aren't pressed to pay Watt, Detroit must make sure they offer Pittsburgh a deal they can't refuse and give him a new deal to maximize their championship window.