The Detroit Lions are in win-now mode, and they may be even more ready to push all their chips into the center of the proverbial table.
Detroit has been singled out as one of the potential suitors for T.J. Watt if the Pittsburgh Steelers decide to trade the four-time All-Pro and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
ESPN reported Tuesday that teams were considering offers to acquire Watt from Pittsburgh. Watt is set to enter the final year of his four-year contract signed after his record-setting 2021 season but is looking for a new contract that would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
The Steelers aren’t actively shopping Watt but could decide to offload the soon-to-be 31-year-old rather than lose him for nothing in free agency.
Why Are The Lions Being Linked To T.J. Watt?
The Lions are loaded and are very much a Super Bowl contender. But their defense could not stop Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional playoff game in their 45-31 loss.
The Lions finished tied for 24th in sacks (37) last season. But fans have rightly pointed to Aidan Hutchinson’s absence, since the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft missed the final 13 games with a broken leg.
With him recuperating, and 2024 trade-deadline acquisition Za’Darius Smith still on the free agent market after an underwhelming post-deal tenure, Detroit could try to wow Pittsburgh and acquire Watt, according to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, and still has cap space to lock in the future Hall of Famer.
“Detroit has been sniffing around upgrades opposite Hutchinson for a while, taking a flyer on Za’Darius Smith last year and reportedly attempting a draft-day trade up for edge rushing help,” Benjamin wrote. “Better yet, they’re flush with 2025 salary cap space, possessing north of $40 million that could help accommodate Watt’s immediate financial desires and further confirm them as one of the most talented rosters in all of football.”
Why Would A Watt-to-Pittsburgh Trade Not Happen?
The Steelers may not want to part with their four-time All-Pro, especially since they are all-in in 2025.
After winning the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, then trading for D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks then acquiring Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Pittsburgh has upped the ante.
The pressure is always on in Pittsburgh, since fans have been seeking a trip to “Seventh Heaven” since the Steelers won their last championship over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. But the stakes were raised even further when Rodgers announced it was likely his final NFL season.
But there would be reason for the Lions to pause as well. Watt will be 31 on Oct. 11 and would be seeking a new contract with a higher average annual value than Myles Garrett’s $40 million — that would likely take him through his age-35 season.
Watt is also coming off one of, if not the worst season of his career. He had 11.5 sacks, which was tied for eighth in the league but was the lowest since his rookie season.
The Lions also don’t have a third- or sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and offloading further picks in a potential-Watt trade would leave them further minus draft capital. That’s not a reason to necessarily not trade him but something to consider — especially with Pittsburgh likely to want to cash in on arguably its best player.
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