Myles Garrett Trade Rumors: Could the Detroit Lions Land the Star Pass Rusher?

A Game-Changing Opportunity for the Lions

The Detroit Lions are being touted as one of the best fits for elite defensive end Myles Garrett, who has recently entered the trade market. Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL, formally requested a trade on Monday, signaling his intent to compete for a Super Bowl.

The Challenge of Acquiring Garrett

Trading for Garrett will not be easy. Lions General Manager Brad Holmes acknowledged in his end-of-season press conference that acquiring an elite edge rusher—such as when he attempted to trade for Za’Darius Smith at the deadline—is a complicated process due to the limited availability of such high-caliber players. Any deal for Garrett would require Detroit to part with significant draft capital or valuable contributors from their roster.

Three Trade Proposals for Myles Garrett

Given the magnitude of this potential acquisition, here are three trade proposals the Lions could make to secure one of the league’s premier defensive stars.

Proposal 1: A Draft-Heavy Trade

Lions Receive: Myles Garrett, 2025 third-round pick (via Buffalo) Browns Receive: 2025 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick

If the Lions want to avoid giving up any key players, they will need to surrender multiple high-value draft picks. Under Brad Holmes’ leadership, Detroit has built a strong foundation through the draft, making these picks incredibly valuable. However, with Super Bowl aspirations in sight, the Lions may be willing to sacrifice future selections, especially if they believe these picks will be late in the first round.

While parting with multiple first-rounders is costly, Detroit would receive a Day 2 pick in addition to acquiring Garrett, solidifying their defensive front for years to come.

Proposal 2: A Quarterback-Centric Deal

Lions Receive: Myles Garrett Browns Receive: Hendon Hooker, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick

The Browns currently have uncertainty at the quarterback position, making this trade proposal particularly intriguing. While they hold the second overall pick in the upcoming draft, there is no clear-cut top quarterback in this year’s class. Rather than banking on a rookie, Cleveland could take a chance on Hendon Hooker, who remains an unproven but promising talent.

Given Hooker’s limited NFL experience, the Browns would likely require an additional draft pick to sweeten the deal. A first-rounder in 2025 would be a major incentive for Cleveland, allowing them to add a premier talent alongside Hooker.

For the Lions, parting with Hooker would be a necessary sacrifice to acquire an elite defensive presence. Detroit already has their franchise quarterback in place, and they could explore veteran backup options or draft another developmental quarterback in the near future.

Proposal 3: A Player-for-Player Blockbuster

Lions Receive: Myles Garrett, 2025 third-round pick Browns Receive: Brian Branch, 2025 second-round pick

This trade would be the most difficult for Lions fans to accept. Brian Branch has quickly emerged as one of the league’s top young safeties, and with two more years of team control, he remains an invaluable asset. However, with tough financial decisions looming, Detroit may not be able to extend every key player on their defense.

In this scenario, the Lions would prioritize keeping fellow safety Kerby Joseph while dealing Branch to acquire an elite pass rusher. For Cleveland, adding Branch would be a major defensive boost, as he can play both safety positions or slot cornerback, making him a versatile and impactful addition.

This trade would allow the Lions to land Garrett without giving up multiple first-round picks, but losing a young star like Branch would still be a tough pill to swallow.

The Verdict: Should the Lions Pull the Trigger?

Myles Garrett is a game-changing talent who could elevate the Lions’ defense to championship levels. While the cost of acquiring him is steep, Detroit must weigh their Super Bowl window against their future draft capital and roster depth. If the Lions believe Garrett is the missing piece to push them over the top, they might just make a move that shakes up the NFL landscape.