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Lions Have Another Trade Opportunity After Thursday's NFL Firing

By Cem Yolbulan

Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) breaks up a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) breaks up a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions are in the midst of their much-needed and much-deserved bye week. After securing the top NFC seed with their Week 18 win over the Vikings, the Lions are getting additional rest to get healthy before the divisional round of the playoffs.

The rest of the league, however, has started to make their offseason moves. Teams that have disappointed in the season are already moving on from their coaches and general managers as they are looking ahead to the offseason.

One of those teams was the Las Vegas Raiders. After moving on from head coach Antonio Pierce, they announced on Thursday that they relieved GM Tom Telesco of his duties after only one season with the organization.

It has been reported that Tom Brady now has more say within the franchise. With a new general manager and head coach, the Raiders are likely entering a rebuilding phase. As they get ready for a new era, this presents an opportunity for contenders like the Lions.

The Raiders will now presumably be more open to trading their valuable players for draft capital. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby will obviously top the list of potential trade targets but the Raiders have more talented players who the Lions can pursue.

One of those players is tight end Michael Mayer. The former Notre Dame star fell behind rookie standout Brock Bowers in the pecking order. After a promising rookie season, Mayer didn't get the same opportunity in his second year. With Bowers establishing himself as one of the best tight ends in the game, Mayer should be available on the trade market.

The Lions don't desperately need reinforcements at tight end but a higher-end option to replace Brock Wright as the TE2 makes some sense. Sam LaPorta plays almost every snap, and he is as reliable as they come. Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson like to deploy double TE sets with both LaPorta and Wright, and occasionally Shane Zylstra. Having someone with a higher upside like Mayer could make the Lions an even more dangerous offensive team.

Wright finished the season with 13 catches, 100 yards, and two touchdowns in 17 games, receiving a 51.5 PFF grade and ranking 65th among all tight ends. The Lions should think about upgrading that spot with a fellow Fighting Irish.

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