Brad Holmes Should Break Out Of His Comfort Zone For Myles Garrett
Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
For the second season in a row, the Detroit Lions came close but ultimately short of a Super Bowl appearance. Many will chalk up the one-and-done in the playoffs to injuries that devastated the defense, and that’s fine to do so. With health, there are plenty of pieces already in place for 2025. Arguably, they need just one more.
Which is exactly why Brad Holmes should try pushing the Lions over the top with a trade for Myles Garrett.
Garrett started Cleveland’s offseason with a bang by requesting a trade from a franchise continually stuck in quicksand. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year is still at the tail end of his prime at age 29 and has missed a combined two games in the last four seasons.
That kind of move isn’t one the Lions are quick to make. Detroit has made their living through the draft, hitting on their picks and developing those selections into key pieces of the puzzle. Holmes reiterated this sentiment in his end-of-year presser back in January. “We’ve always said that we’re going to build through the draft, and I think that’s why we are in the position that we are in from a ‘window standpoint’ of having the comfort to keep building like we have been.”
The window that Holmes alluded to for the Lions remains wide open due to an infusion of young talent from recent draft classes like Brian Branch, Jack Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Sam LaPorta, Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, and plenty more. Time and again, this front office has struck gold and it’s no surprise as to why Holmes and the front office covet those picks.
Landing the likes of Garrett would certainly cost plenty of draft capital, including premier picks. In short, it would be pushing Holmes and the Lions way out of their comfort zone. But that might be a step the team is preparing to take. When asked about specifically adding a veteran player in that January press conference, Holmes didn’t rule it out. “Well, if it’s the right veteran player that can help us and it’s the right fit, then we have no problem doing it if it’s going to help our football team.”
There are a lot of “ifs” there, but regardless of what the Lions do or don’t accomplish this offseason, they should be near the top of the NFC as one of the favorites to take the Conference crown. However, it’s hard to ignore the recipe the Philadelphia Eagles employed to seal a title.
Just like he saw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, Patrick Mahomes could not escape the ferocious front four of the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t blitz once on any of Mahomes’ 42 dropbacks, yet his defense continually got pressure. Kansas City’s offensive line isn’t anything to scoff at, by any means. The Philadelphia front was simply that good.
Jalen Carter steals a lot of the headlines, and rightfully so, but he’s far from a one-man wrecking crew. Josh Sweat had 2.5 sacks against Kansas City. Interior defensive linemen Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith generated plenty of pressure on their own.
Right now, Detroit has one star pass-rusher in place with Hutchinson. Adding Garrett would cost a pretty penny, but if you want to see the Lions have an incredible front four, this is the way. Having Hutchinson and Garrett would give the Lions so many options. Amongst them would be not having to blitz a ton, trusting them (along with Alim McNeill and a fourth lineman) to get the job done themselves.
Marcus Davenport was supposed to be the tag team partner for Hutchinson, but he played just two games before suffering a torn triceps that ended his season. Davenport is set to be a free agent and obviously, Garrett is on a completely different tier. Likewise for Za’Darius Smith, even though he filled in capably and is lobbying to stay with the Lions.
If Detroit believes it is one piece away, why not step into the box and take the big swing? It’s not a foolproof plan, but it’s close to it. Garrett is 29, and likely still has a couple of great years left in him. The Lions saw their fair share of injuries last year on defense, but if that’s a reason to shy away from a big acquisition, the front office is probably in the wrong business.
Holmes and the Lions have built this bad boy up through the draft and it has paid off handsomely. Entering the trade arena and landing Garrett, even though it would cost a ton of picks, would make the Lions the easy favorite in the NFC. Many paths can and will be explored by Detroit this offseason, but Bill Barnwell of ESPN said it best in his recent piece on Garrett:
“If Detroit thinks it’s one player away, is there a better alternative than Garrett?”
Making the money work could be tricky down the road, and some of it might have to be kicked into future years. Again, if they are one splash move away, it’s worth it.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is, by definition… well, uncomfortable, but oftentimes, it’s the only way to grow. If Holmes can push past his instincts to hoard draft picks — which, in fairness, are gold in the hands of him and his scouting staff — Detroit will open the door to growing into a true championship team.
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