During the NFL Combine, it seemed all but certain that the Detroit Lions would not pursue a trade for Myles Garrett.
General manager Brad Holmes made it clear that acquiring a premier edge rusher wasn’t likely, citing the team’s focus on finalizing a contract extension for Aidan Hutchinson. At the same time, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry insisted that, despite Garrett’s trade request, the organization had no plans to part ways with their All-Pro defender.
However, despite these public statements, the Lions still reached out to Cleveland regarding Garrett’s availability.
According to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, Detroit contacted the Browns to explore a potential deal following Garrett’s trade request. ESPN’s Kimberly A. Martin also noted that the Lions were the team most interested in acquiring Garrett prior to last season’s trade deadline.
The appeal is obvious—Garrett is one of the league’s most dominant defensive players. He has recorded double-digit sacks in each of the past seven seasons, including at least 14 in the last four. Pro Football Focus ranked him first among all edge rushers in total pressures last season, finishing with 83.
Detroit’s need for pass-rushing help is evident. Hutchinson was the only Lions defender to surpass four sacks in 2024, highlighting a major gap in the team’s front seven. Pairing Garrett with Hutchinson would immediately create one of the most formidable pass-rushing duos in the league.
Of course, making such a move would be financially challenging. Garrett is already one of the league’s highest-paid edge rushers and is seeking a new contract, while Hutchinson is on track for a lucrative extension as well.
For now, a deal remains unlikely, as the Browns have given no indication they are willing to move Garrett. However, Detroit’s continued interest suggests they might be more open to making a blockbuster move than they’ve let on publicly.