The Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl Dream: Could a Myles Garrett Trade Make It Reality?

Win-Now Mentality: The Lions’ Urgent Super Bowl Chase The Detroit Lions are on the cusp of greatness. With an explosive offense and an increasingly formidable defense, they are closer than ever to contending for a Super Bowl title. But in today’s NFL, close isn’t good enough. If the Lions truly want to cement their place among the elite, they must consider a bold move—trading for former Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett.

Adding Garrett to a defensive front that already features Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Reader, and Alim McNeill would transform the Lions into an unstoppable force. Combine that with a well-rounded linebacker corps and a capable secondary, and Detroit could boast not just the best offense in the league, but also the most dominant defense.

The Cost of Greatness: What Would It Take? A move of this magnitude doesn’t come without sacrifices. Bringing in Garrett would likely mean parting ways with key contributors or letting promising players walk when their contracts expire. This is the price of drafting well—eventually, you simply can’t afford to keep everyone.

The Lions’ front office will need to navigate these financial waters carefully, ensuring that core young stars like Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch remain part of the team’s long-term vision. But with Garrett in the mix, the window for winning a championship might be too wide open to ignore.

Who Could Be the Odd Men Out? If Detroit makes a blockbuster move for Garrett, some tough decisions will have to be made. Here are seven players who could be casualties of the team’s financial restructuring:

Derrick Barnes
Barnes has shown steady improvement and played a key role in the defense, but with his contract up, the Lions might opt for the cheaper option in Trevor Nowaske. As a restricted free agent, Nowaske would provide similar depth at a fraction of the cost.

Carlton Davis
A talented cornerback, Davis is set to command a hefty new contract. Given how well Amik Robertson performed in his absence, Detroit may decide that keeping Robertson, who is significantly cheaper, is the more pragmatic choice.

Za’Darius Smith
Smith’s contract already carries a significant cap hit, and the addition of Garrett would only make his presence more financially burdensome. Even without a trade for Garrett, Smith’s future with the team is in jeopardy due to the void years on his deal.

Josh Paschal
Paschal has developed into a reliable defensive asset, but if Garrett joins the squad and Hutchinson secures a lucrative extension, someone has to be the odd man out. Unfortunately for Paschal, he may be the one left looking for a new team.

Alex Anzalone
Anzalone has been a leader for the defense and remains an important part of the team’s plans in 2025. However, when his next contract negotiation arrives, the Lions might choose to prioritize youth and invest in Jack Campbell instead. Anzalone could depart with a Super Bowl ring, but his long-term future in Detroit is uncertain.

Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodriguez has been a fan favorite and a solid performer, but when forced to choose between him and foundational players like Branch, LaPorta, Campbell, and Gibbs, the decision becomes clear. Rodriguez will likely remain for another season, but beyond that, Detroit may not have the cap flexibility to retain him.

Kalif Raymond
A reliable veteran, Raymond’s contract expires after the 2025 season, when he’ll be 32 years old. With Garrett’s massive salary impacting future roster moves, Raymond is an unlikely candidate for another deal with the team.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Gamble? The addition of Myles Garrett could be the final piece of the puzzle for a Lions team desperate to reach the pinnacle of the NFL. But to make it happen, they’ll have to part ways with valuable players and make difficult roster decisions.

Would it be worth it? If the Lombardi Trophy finds its way to Detroit, the answer would be an emphatic yes.