If the Detroit Lions have one obvious depth concern, it is the lack of secondary pass-rushing options. Aidan Hutchinson is obviously the team's primary contributor, with a breakout performance from Al-Quadin Muhammad helping cover for the loss of Marcus Davenport. Still, the Lions are one injury away from having a real concern at the position.
This opens the door for a possible trade with no team appearing to be more open for business than the New Orleans Saints. The winless franchise is a complete mess and has a myriad of veteran pieces that could be moved, and one player in particular fits the bill of what Detroit is looking for.
This would be pass rusher Chase Young, who has been dealing with an injury of his own. Young has been dealing with a calf injury that has kept him off the field so far this season. However, per Jeff Nowak of WWL Radio, this should not be something that lingers for much longer. Saints head coach Kellen Moore made it clear that Young was "close" to a return, leaving the door open for a potential fit for a player who could be a great final piece in the Lions' attempt to make a Super Bowl run.
Lions Could Find Perfect Final Piece for Pass Rush in Veteran Chase Young
Young is on a three-year $51 million deal. This does complicate things a bit from a financial perspective. However, the way the contract is structured, the defender would only need to be willing to work with the Saints and Lions to make a new landing spot work. Young has already received the big contract he was seeking after his stint in Washington.
Now, Young has the opportunity to value winning over his salary for the first time in his career. Young's deal cannot be escaped until the 2027 season, leaving the Lions on the hook for this season and all of 2026, which wouldn't be the worst outcome if he can produce at the level fans expected once he entered the NFL.
That timeline actually lines up perfectly with when Detroit will need to shuffle its cap space around, leaving a clear opportunity for Young to earn another payday with a team fans will actually be paying attention to. It always takes two to tango when any trade discussion takes place, but there appears to be zero doubt that the kind of move makes sense for both sides.
With that said, the only concern Dan Campbell should have is that Young has gotten himself in trouble at times for opting to freelance rather than stay true to his assignment. Often, this creates big plays, but it doesn't fit well with Campbell's system, which requires accountability and playing as a unit. The pass rusher would have to be willing to understand that his preferred style of play will need to be adjusted.
As long as this is the case, Young could be the perfect final piece in this Lions defense. Never has Young had the benefit of playing opposite a player as talented as Hutchinson. A fair expectation would be 6-7 sacks down the stretch of the season in a consistent rotational role. Even with the contract, this is at least worth picking up the phone and exploring.
Inquiring as to what the Saints and Young might be willing to do to part ways in the middle of a miserable 2025 season is a pathway worth exploring if it leads the Lions to a talented edge rusher who has yet to reach his full potential.