A New Era of Defensive Dominance Begins in Detroit: Lions Poised to Land Perennial Pro Bowl Pass Rusher
With the offseason set to begin next month, the Detroit Lions have some decisions to make in the coming weeks about their plans for free agency.
In the past, the Lions haven’t been prolific spenders and have chosen to target value buys with players who were either coming off injury or younger and underrated. They haven’t taken bigger swings on veteran players, but that could change in 2025.
Now that the Lions are on the doorstep of Super Bowl contention, they could look to veterans to help at key positions of need on the roster. One such spot is edge rusher, and Pro Football Focus’s Mason Cameron have cast an early vote for Khalil Mack, naming him a free agency fit.
“The Lions may not hold quite as much cap space as the Commanders, but they do possess something others cannot offer: the opportunity to pair with another elite edge rusher, freeing up Mack for more one-on-ones. Mack and Aidan Hutchinson would be an enticing duo, boosting a pass rush that fell off a cliff when Hutchinson went down early in the 2024 regular season.”
Mack has already been matched with the Lions as a potential free agent target, and is coming off a six sack season in 2024. In 2023, he put up 17 sacks, showing that he can still rush the passer effectively at 33 years old. Whether the Lions go after a value buy like Mack or make a splashy offer for Myles Garrett remains to be seen.
Detroit Lions also called a potential fit for Haason Reddick
The Lions were also suggested a younger option in free agency to boost their pass rush this offseason in Reddick, a former member of the Philadelphia Eagles who was traded to the New York Jets and held out the first six games of the season. Detroit reportedly had interest in Reddick during the trade deadline, something Cameron thinks should be re-kindled.
“Following a season-ending injury to Aidan Hutchinson, Lions general manager Brad Holmes reportedly checked to see if a deal could be reached to acquire the disgruntled Reddick. However, a trade never materialized, in part due to a clause in the original trade agreement that would require New York to send a 2026 second-round pick to Philadelphia if the Jets were to send Reddick back to the NFC. With Reddick slated to hit free agency and that no longer being a problem, Holmes may again try his luck at bringing in the former second-team All-Pro.”
Reddick only had one sack in 10 games for the Jets in 2024, but is 30 years old and contractual drama which shortened his season. It’s possible he’s in line for a major bounce back year in 2025 considering he put up 11 sacks in 2023.
No matter what the Lions choose, they will have multiple options to bolster their pass rush.
