Yesterday's NFC North is not today's NFC North. A week ago, the Detroit Lions were right in the thick of a division title race that could have ended with any of the North's four teams at the summit. The Chicago Bears became the favorites in an instant, pulling off a Jeffery Simmons trade that shook the bones of the NFL.
Per insider Tom Pelissero, the Bears sent two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the All-Pro defensive tackle and a future fifth-round pick. It's the kind of deal that could completely change the NFC playoff picture.
Unless they want their chance at a 2026 division title to pass them by, the Lions have to respond with a deal of their own. Their shaky secondary already threatened to derail their season. Now, it feels more likely than not.
It's time for Detroit to get serious about a Sauce Gardner trade.
Bears' Jeffery Simmons trade should push Lions to make a Sauce Gardner move
This NFL trade season has already been a lively one, especially in the NFC. On Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks made a splash by acquiring All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. The deal put them in position to make a comeback in the NFC West title race, currently led by the San Francisco 49ers.
Within a few hours, the 49ers responded, trading for DeForest Buckner. The Lions should follow San Francisco's example.
The NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in football. Detroit's defense in its current form won't cut it. Adding a superstar defender like Gardner might not solve all of the Lions' issues, but he's the most impactful player available.
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Depending on the statistic you look at, the Lions' defense has either been the worst or the second-worst in the NFL this season. While the front has held up well, the secondary has been unable to keep up with its opponents. Adding Gardner to the mix would go a long way toward fixing that issue.
Yes, the Colts just sent away two first-round picks for Gardner a year ago. Since then, they've fired Chris Ballard, the general manager who made that deal. Especially considering their willingness to move on from other key players, they may be open to selling Gardner at the deadline.
We recently projected that a 2027 second-round pick might get a deal done. Based on the compensation that the Titans got for Simmons, that price may have been bumped up to a first-rounder. Even if it has, the Lions shouldn't hesitate.
Gardner is a field-tilting player. Defenders of his caliber aren't typically available via trade. This is a unique opportunity for the Lions to stake their claim in the NFC North. They have to take it.
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