After a terribly disappointing end to their 2024 campaign at the hands of the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions must explore every avenue possible to add to an already talented roster in order to get over the hump to a Super Bowl.
As we saw in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, having a top-notch defensive line and pass-rush can make all the difference between winning and losing the biggest prize in the NFL.
The Lions already have a strong starting group upfront, but the team is lacking depth in that area, especially when it comes to the edge. Detroit has Aidan Hutchinson and Za’Darius Smith under contract, but more help is needed.
In order to remedy that, Adam Hulse of Sportskeeda predicts general manager Brad Holmes will make a splash signing with Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher and pending free agent, Khalil Mack.
“The Detroit Lions may be the one to make the biggest push for him as their lack of depth was exposed last year when Aidan Hutchinson was injured,” he wrote. “They recorded the ninth-fewest sacks last season and have money to spend this year with the projected 10th-most available salary cap space.”
Mack is coming off a down year in 2024, with the 34-year-old tallying six sacks in 16 games. However, the nine-time Pro Bowler is one year removed from a 17-sack year and it’s quite possible playing opposite Hutchinson could move him closer to that kind of production.
But the Lions don’t really need him to be the alpha in the room with Hutchinson in the fold. Mack just has to play a complementary role and take advantage when teams are focused on stopping the Michigan product.
Assuming they keep Smith, Mack can rotate with his fellow veteran in order to stay fresh, and the Lions can even deploy Mack, Smith and Hutchinson on the same line thanks to Smith’s ability to kick inside.
Spotrac estimates that Mack will receive a three-year, $70.9 million deal in free agency, but that projection is far too high, both in years and dollar value.
After all, Mack played on a one-year, $19.2 million deal last season, is coming off a lackluster showing and was mulling retirement following it. We would expect Mack to garner a one-year deal in the range of $12-$15 million instead.
Wherever his price ends up, the Lions will have no issue affording a one-year deal. Over the Cap has Detroit sitting with $51.1 million in cap space.
The Lions need to go all in on 2025, as their Super Bowl window won’t be open forever. While we’d prefer a blockbuster deal for Myles Garrett instead, Mack would be one heck of a consolation prize.
