The Detroit Lions have a pivotal offseason ahead of them after a disappointing ending to their 2024 season. They finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record but were ravaged by injuries that significantly hindered their roster.
They need to re-tool this roster in the coming months, and they got some excellent news on Wednesday. Per ESPN's Dan Graziano, the 2025 salary cap will be around $277.5-$281.5 million, an increase of $22.1M-$26.1M from 2024.
According to Spotrac, the Lions have the 11th most cap space available ($48.4 million) this offseason and with that number set to increase, the Lions should be all in on the pursuit of Cleveland Browns edge Myles Garrett.
Garrett and Aidan Hutchinson recently spoke about teaming up. With this extra money, the Lions would be wise to be aggressive in trading for the 29-year-old. He requested a trade following the 2024 season and there may not be a better landing spot than the Lions.
Last year, when Hutchinson went down for the year with a leg injury, the Lions' pass rush couldn't capture that same success.
The pairing of Garrett and Hutchinson would give Detroit one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. There have been rumors that Cleveland would be looking for two first-round picks in exchange for Garrett. The Lions could easily pony that up as those picks would be in the back half of the first round anyway.
The Texas A&M product has two years left on his deal ($19.7 million in 2025 & $20 million in 2026) but is seeking a new contract. With the extra funds that teams will have in 2025, it would be no problem to extend Garrett.
He's compiled 250 solo tackles, 116 TFLs, 200 QB hits, and 102.5 sacks in his eight-year career. Garrett has recorded double-digit sacks in seven straight seasons.
The Lions are Super Bowl contenders, and a move like this gets them closer to that eventual goal. The Philadelphia Eagles just showed the NFL world how important it is to have a dominant pass rush. The NFL increasing the salary cap for 2025 is great news and Detroit should take full advantage of it.