The Detroit Lions’ ambitious bid to dominate the defensive line took a crushing blow as newly acquired veteran Marcus Davenport was sidelined for the season with a brutal elbow injury. This devastating turn has left the team scrambling to find a replacement to pair with star Aidan Hutchinson, who has been the team’s lone force in the pass rush. Davenport, who was meant to provide the critical support Detroit’s defense has been searching for over two years, is now on injured reserve with a torn tricep, and the Lions’ pass-rush depth has all but evaporated.
The injury has sparked speculation that the Lions could turn to the trade market, with top NFL analyst Matt Holder throwing out a tantalizing option: disgruntled New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick. Reddick, tangled in a contract dispute that has kept him off the field, could be a prime candidate for a midseason trade. With his dissatisfaction in New York growing, and the Jets rumored to be ready to move on, Detroit could strike a deal that reshapes their defensive front and salvages their Super Bowl aspirations.
Holder didn’t mince words, stating the Lions’ front office must make a bold move to offset Davenport’s absence. “Davenport’s injury is a gut punch to Detroit’s defense, and the cupboard is now bare. Reddick could be the savior,” he suggested. Reddick, entering the final year of his three-year, $45 million contract, is reportedly demanding a new deal before stepping on the field—a demand that fits perfectly into Detroit’s long-term plans.
The buzz around Reddick doesn’t stop there. NFL insider Kristopher Knox joined the chorus, pinpointing the Lions as a top contender for Reddick’s talents, alongside the Arizona Cardinals. Knox noted that Detroit, fresh off a shaky defensive showing against the Seattle Seahawks, could urgently use the kind of high-caliber edge presence Reddick brings. Hutchinson, with 6.5 of the Lions’ 11 sacks this season, has been carrying the load on his own, while the rest of the pass rush has floundered.
Though the Lions have remained tight-lipped about any pursuit of Reddick, their need to fill the gaping hole left by Davenport could push them toward a high-stakes trade. With the Lions’ season teetering on the edge of contention, a move for Reddick could not only fill the immediate void but also secure a long-term solution at edge rusher.
As trade chatter intensifies, others suggest the Lions may stick to in-house solutions, with names like Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, and James Houston set to see more playing time. But with Detroit harboring serious postseason ambitions, fans and analysts alike are watching closely—will the Lions go all in on a blockbuster deal, or will they gamble with what’s left of their defense?
