For years, the Detroit Lions have been in the hunt for a star pass rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson. While not the best in the game, Hutchinson is, by every objective and subjective measure, a top-5 edge rusher in the league, at worst.
Notably, Myles Garrett is one of the few guys who would undeniably be ranked ahead of him. As such, he'd certainly fit the bill of the type of game-wrecker the Lions could've and should've been after to make a strong championship push.
That's also why, after watching what the Los Angeles Rams gave up to get Garrett, the fans can't help but feel frustrated. The Cleveland Browns probably could've gotten more in return, and the Lions could've been in a position to outbid the Rams.
The Detroit Lions keep refusing to go all-in
The Browns got Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick for Garrett. They valued Verse as a first-round pick, as they should, but who's to say the Lions couldn't have matched that offer?
Granted, the Browns would've probably asked for Aidan Hutchinson, which, to be fair, shouldn't have been a deal-breaker. As great a player as Hutchinson is, and as much as he has Hall of Fame potential and is a fan favorite, Garrett is arguably one of the five greatest pass rushers of all time.
Regardless, it feels like the Lions could've still found ways to outbid the Rams and still keep Hutchinson. Whether that was giving up another first-rounder in 2028 or even their own first-round pick this season, there were telling signs that Garrett would be available, and the Lions just stayed put.
That speaks volumes about this front office's M.O., and it goes well beyond Garrett. The Las Vegas Raiders -- almost -- traded Maxx Crosby for two first-round picks. Even in their own division, the Green Bay Packers got Micah Parsons for two first-rounders and Kenny Clark. Hutchinson is probably next in line after those three, and with such a strong team, not going all-in while their Super Bowl window is open is a disservice.
The Lions are knocking on the door of contention, so there's a case to be made for not making a big splash when they can lock in their core for years to come. However, after watching the Los Angeles Rams build two Super Bowl contenders in five years with an uber-aggressive approach and other teams making big moves, one can only wonder whether the Lions are as close as other NFC powerhouses.
Super Bowl windows can only last so much, and as good as this team is, they can't afford to get complacent. Hopefully, they'll be in on the next superstar who becomes available.
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