Detroit still looking at replacements for DE Aidan Hutchinson
The Detroit Lions have fared just fine without star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson over the last two weeks, besting the Minnesota Vikings on the road and thumping the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Oct. 27.
However, as the trade deadline nears, the team is dropping serious hints that it is looking to upgrade its pass rush in light of Hutchinson's season-ending leg injury. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated as much while speaking with reporters on Monday, who asked him whether a trade was imminent.
"Could be," Campbell said. "Yeah, it could be."
He went on to elaborate further in the context of Detroit posting just a single sack in its 38-point victory over the Titans.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
"We know when the deadline is. We’ve known what that is. We’re still talking about it, and we’re still working through it," Campbell added. "There’s other ways at creating pressure and, yeah, would you like a little more? Yeah, we’d like a little bit more. ... They had a couple things where they were attacking us in man coverage that were good, so you can get the ball out. But believe [me], we’re aware, and we’re still looking at it. But no, I wouldn’t say we’re in panic mode."
The Lions have nine days remaining before the NFL's trade deadline on November 5 and there are a handful of options at their disposal. Among the potential candidates is defensive end Chase Young of the floundering New Orleans Saints.
Young, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 and the Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, has tallied just 2 sacks this year but also has 14 pressures to his credit. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department made the case for Young to Detroit on Monday.
"It might be belaboring the point, but until the Lions add a suitable replacement for Aidan Hutchinson, adding an edge-rusher is going to be suggested," B/R wrote. "Meanwhile, Chase Young was recently paired with the club and came in at No. 7 on B/R's latest [NFL Trade Big Board]."
Young, 25, is playing on a one-year deal worth $13 million that would allow the Lions to move on from him following this season if they don't view him as a long-term fit.
