Detroit has to find a starting center this offseason, and it feels a bit risky to hedge their bet on a rookie center to become that for them in 2026. The Lions have had some so-so luck with drafting linemen in recent seasons, with the good being Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, and Penei Sewell, and the bad being Giovanni Manu and, due to injury, Miles Frazier.
Free agency offers some legitimate options for them, although they'd come at a huge price in most cases. And, they still haven't made any moves internally to free up any space. Right now, the trade market seems like their best bet.
Lions writer Mike Payton of A to Z Sports has suggested an interesting trade target for the Lions that would satisfy the need for a starting center, and that's New York Jets center Joe Tippmann. The only issue with this proposal? It just feels very unlikely New York would part with such an anchor on their line for anything less than a premium pick - or, at least, a starter in return.
Lions named a perfect trade partner for starting center
Payton wrote of the trade idea:
"This is a win/win for both teams. The Jets get another draft pick in a draft that’s is going to be very consequential for their rebuild and the Lions get their starting center for 2026 and beyond. They also get a guy who is on a rookie deal for at least one more season. What do the Lions get with Tippmann at center? They get a guy who is still young in his game and needs a little bit more time to cook on the job, but who has had elite-level performances in terms of run blocking and some solid pass blocking games as well."
This is on the money regarding Tippmann's potential. His move from center to guard this season wasn't a slick fit, so finding him a landing spot where he could get back to center would be great for his development. Of course, the Jets don't necessarily owe him that.
The one thing that gives us pause with this trade proposal is only having to give up a fourth-rounder for him. Detroit doesn't have a 3rd round pick this season by way of the Isaac TeSlaa trade in 2025, but a 2nd rounder absolutely feels too rich for Tippmann at this point in his career. But, it does feel like the Jets would want a starting caliber player back in return for him.
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Would Detroit part with anyone on their line in exchange for Tippmann? Tossing Glasgow into a deal gives New York a clean break, with Glasgow getting to switch back to guard, and then Tippmann getting to switch back to center.
This would also be huge for the Lions' cap savings, with a pre-June 1 trade of Glasgow amounting to $11.6 million in cap savings. Tippmann's hit is just $4.6 million for 2026, so the total savings would be $7 million in the Lions' favor.
This would be a very cool trade to see happen between Aaron Glenn's new team and Detroit. As Payton put it in his piece, it does feel like a win-win scenario.