A former Pro Bowl player worth $26 million is proposed as a key addition to the Lions’ playoff push

The Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31–9 at Ford Field on Sunday Night Football to cap off the 2024 regular season in commanding fashion. Detroit secured the NFC North for the second consecutive year and, for the first time in the team’s history, the top seed in the conference with their victory over Minnesota in Week 18.

Due to the benefits of being the top seed, Dan Campbell’s team will have a bye week in the Wild Card round and won’t play again until the Divisional Round. In addition to giving the team a chance to recuperate and get ready for a much-anticipated postseason run, general manager Brad Holmes is also using this time to bolster the team’s roster with some talent.

Although the Lions have one of the NFL’s deepest rosters, Detroit is worried about the edge rusher position. Although the addition of Za’Darius Smith has greatly improved the pass-rushing department, Holmes should try to add another player to the position group before the Lions play in the Divisional Round because injuries to Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport have severely damaged the unit.

If the Lions wish to strengthen the pass rush prior to the postseason, they must move swiftly because playoff teams’ rosters are frozen at 4 p.m. EST on January 8. Despite the incredibly weak free agent market at this stage of the season, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report urges Detroit to add veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the roster in order to qualify for the postseason.

“Detroit could also provide a sensible landing spot for Ngakoue,” Knox stated. “The loss of star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson was the biggest blow to the Lions defense, which has been severely impacted by injuries. He has been sidelined since Week 6 due to a fractured tibia and fibula, and it is highly unlikely that he will make a comeback this season until the Super Bowl.

Although Ngakoue isn’t the same player he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars early in his career, the 29-year-old could still offer Detroit’s edge rusher room some sufficient depth. Ngakoue played in 11 games this season, including five with the Baltimore Ravens and six with the New England Patriots. He recorded 1.5 sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.

Only two years have passed since the 2016 third-round selection had a nine-sack and forty-four-quarterback pressure campaign with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and four sacks with the Chicago Bears in 2023. Over the past few seasons, Ngakoue has played as a journeyman, appearing for seven different teams since 2019.

All things considered, Ngakoue is past his best and is no longer a dependable NFL pass rusher. But for the Lions’ postseason run, the former Maryland standout would be a wise veteran addition to the defensive line.

BREAKING: Dan Campbell Turns Down Dallas Cowboys Head Coaching Offer, Gets Big Contract Offer From Pittsburgh Steelers…

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has received or declined head coaching offers from the Dallas Cowboys or the Pittsburgh Steelers.n March 2024, Campbell agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the Lions, securing his position through the 2027 season.his extension reflects the organization’s confidence in his leadership following a successful 2023 season, where the Lions achieved a 12-5 record and reached the NFC Championship game.

nder Campbell’s guidance, the Lions secured their first NFC North Division title in 2023 and celebrated their first playoff victory in 32 years.is efforts earned him recognition as a finalist for the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2023.

iven Campbell’s recent contract extension and the Lions’ notable progress under his leadership, it is unlikely that he is considering other coaching opportunities at this time.he Lions’ commitment to Campbell underscores their belief in his vision and strategy for the team’s future success.

“But he’s going to do a great job”:
Lions’ Jared Goff reacts to John Morton replacing Ben Johnson as OC

The Detroit Lions were able to hold onto offensive coordinator Ben Johnson last offseason after he received interest from teams in need of a head coach. Detroit wasn’t so lucky this time around, as Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears’ job.

The Lions responded to that loss by hiring Denver Broncos pass game coordinator John Morton, who was a senior offensive assistant with Detroit in 2022, to replace Johnson. While at the Pro Bowl over the weekend, Lions quarterback Jared Goff spoke with SiriusXM NFL Radio about his new offensive play-caller.

“We were together in 2022,” Goff said about Morton, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “He was an assistant on our staff and has done it before, has been a coordinator before. Has a lot of experience in our league, been around a lot of great coaches. I’m excited to work with him and see where we can go.”

While it’s understandable Goff likes that the Lions chose somebody familiar with the offense he’s run during his time with the organization, the fact remains that Morton has massive shoes to fill. Thanks to the success Goff enjoyed while working with Johnson, the 30-year-old signed a four-year contract extension last spring that included $170M guaranteed and could be worth up to $212M. Goff then became a finalist for the 2024 Most Valuable Player Award.

Per Pro Football Reference, Goff ranked second in the league with a 72.4 percent completion percentage, second with an average of 272.3 passing yards per game, fourth with 37 passing touchdowns and second with a 111.8 passer rating.

“He’s a guy that’s made a ton of difference in my career,” Goff said about Johnson. “I’m obviously a big fan of his. I was joking with him, I wish he didn’t have to be in our division so I didn’t have to try to beat him twice a year. But he’s going to do a great job. Hopefully not too good, though, with us being in the division together still. But I’ll always be a fan of his and we’ll always have a good relationship.”

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Lions fifth among the betting favorites at +950 odds to win Super Bowl LX next February. Johnson will try to keep Detroit from accomplishing that goal in a job he hopes to have for the foreseeable future.

Lions Trading for Myles Garrett Who Requested A Trade From Cleveland Browns

One of the top defenders in football has asked for a trade, and the Detroit Lions may be significant contenders in the pursuit of his talents.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has formally declared his desire to be traded from the team that selected him first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. A significant reason for his wish to be traded is that the Browns are not presently in contention to win a Super Bowl, which is a key objective of his professional career.

“As a child aspiring to play in the NFL, my sole focus was on the dream of winning a Super Bowl — and that aspiration drives me now more than ever,” stated Garrett in a release on Monday. “My affection for the Northeast Ohio community and the amazing fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has turned this into one of the most challenging decisions of my life.” The last eight years have transformed me into the person I am now.

“Although I’ve cherished making this city my home, my ambition to succeed and compete at the highest levels prevents me from being complacent,” the statement added. “The aim was never to travel from Cleveland to Canton; it has consistently been to strive for and secure a Super Bowl victory.” Keeping that in consideration, I have asked for a trade from the Cleveland Browns.

At first glance, the Lions appear to be precisely the kind of place Garrett would want to settle. Considering his aspiration to succeed and the Lions possessing the necessary components yet to achieve their ultimate aim, a combination of one of the league’s top teams with one of its premier players is entirely logical.

Nonetheless, the primary challenge will be the expense of obtaining one of the league’s top talents in a key position. Lions general manager Brad Holmes stated that acquiring defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Browns was among the toughest challenges he’s faced, considering how many elite edge rushers were deemed untouchable.

When questioned at the Senior Bowl, Browns general manager Andrew Berry informed reporters he would not exchange Garrett for two first-round selections. Considering the historical nature of Garrett as a player, any kind of agreement would necessitate the Lions to relinquish several draft selections, including multiple first-round picks.

Cleveland probably won’t want to trade the star, and based on his prior contract adjustments, the Browns might face over $36 million in cap penalties if a deal occurs, as stated by OverTheCap.

Obtaining Garrett would certainly provide the Lions with one of the top rosters in the league by 2025. Nonetheless, it would require sacrificing several first-round selections along with other draft options.

Moreover, his contract lasting until 2026 would pose significant challenges for the Lions in keeping several of their best players. Detroit currently holds only $22 million in cap space for the 2026 season, while Garrett has a cap charge exceeding $20 million for that year.

A prime example is the deal Chicago executed for 27-year-old Khalil Mack, who was regarded as one of the top players in the league at that time. In that trade, the Bears gave the Raiders two first-round selections, a third-round selection, and a sixth-round selection in exchange for Mack, a second-round pick, and a conditional fifth-round pick.

This gives a sense of the possible package necessary for a team such as Detroit to obtain Garrett.

Lions QB Jared Goff Announces Career Move Outside the NFL

Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions is using his time in the offseason for a new career move that’s outside of football.
The Detroit Lions are in their offseason, so players have some additional time to start other endeavors outside of football and, on a personal level, live a little. Lions quarterback Jared Goff is using his time off to embark on a new endeavor, and this one has nothing to do with the NFL.

On Friday, January 31, Goff took to social media to announce a special endeavor he’s taking on with some major Detroit names. This guy may be from California, but he’s a Detroiter for life.

Jared Goff Teams With Pistons Owner and More Detroit Names
Goff has announced that he’s becoming part of an investment group headed up by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores to try to bring the WNBA back to Detroit.

“I’m thrilled to join this inspiring group of leaders as we work to bring a WNBA team to Detroit! This is an incredible opportunity for our vibrant community and the most passionate fans in the country!” he said on his Instagram story.

In addition to Gores and Goff, other investors include former NBA stars Grant Hill and Chris Webber, as well as Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp.

Webber took to Instagram to announce the news, stating, “Shout out to Tom Gores and the Ownership Group. We are focused on bringing a WNBA team Back to Detroit.”

He added that he’s “so excited for the fans in Michigan, the city of Detroit, women’s hoops and “so excited for girldads like me… Was going to post about how I much fun it is coaching my daughters 2nd grade team… THE CHEETAH GIRLS… But now I can’t wait until our next practice to tell them about this!”

History of the Detroit Shock
Detroit had a WNBA team from 1998 to 2009, called the Detroit Shock. The franchise performed well and won WNBA titles in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The team moved to Tulsa from 2010 to 2015 and then became the Dallas Wings in 2016. During their time in Detroit, the Shock was often ranked one of the top five teams in attendance for the league and was at the top of league attendance for three seasons.

The WNBA is enjoying quite a bit of popularity lately, thanks to star players such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink. Couple that budding popularity of the WNBA with the history of Detroit having a successful WNBA league, and it’s no wonder this group of investors sees a possible opportunity in a new Detroit WNBA team.

Goff’s wife, Christen, is also part of the bid and took to social media to give her reaction to the move, stating, “LetsBringIt” with a hashtag and a blue heart.

Detroit isn’t the only city that wants to bring a WNBA franchise to the city. Other areas vying for the honor include Houston, Philadelphia and Tennessee.

Detroit sports is having a moment lately, from the success of Detroit Lions to Pistons star Cade Cunningham getting national recognition as an All-Star this season, so it could seem like a hot moment to bring another team into the Motor City.