Given how the last month has gone for the Lions, it's hard to blame anyone for rushing to think that a major move is needed. In the span of about a week, the Lions got thoroughly embarrassed at home in their only playoff game and lost both of their star coordinators. Super Bowl windows close just as quickly as they open (maybe faster), and it's hard to shake the notion that the last two years were Detroit's best chances at a title.
RELATED: Former Lions lineman hopes Super Bowl awakens a Myles Garrett trade pursuit
Even still, the Lions are in decent shape. They still have their head coach, starting quarterback, and won't be running out 4th-stringers on defense during next year's divisional round (which is a lot assuming, but whatever). That reality hasn't stopped Lions fans from dreaming big, however, with their eyes set on pass rushing stars Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett. And according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, a big move from GM Brad Holmes isn't at all unrealistic.
Albert Breer explains why he thinks Lions will be major players in 2024 NFL offseason
"This isn’t a guarantee that they will go out and trade for Myles Garrett. Or anyone. I just think they’ll be open for business. They have more than $50 million in cap space, some of which, no doubt, could be used on extensions for guys such as Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph. But they have enough flexibility to get something done, and the time might be now—after winning 29 games in two years and coming up short in the playoffs—following years of responsible, patient building. Remember, GM Brad Holmes was part of the go-for-broke Rams’ build."
On one hand, this says nothing. Breer literally starts off by making sure we all know that nothing's guaranteed and he's just speculating, which becomes extremely obvious when you the rest of the blurb. It's not exactly Peak NFL Insider to suggest that the Lions may throw their cap space and draft capital around this offseason, but that's the gig I guess!
On the other hand, there's no denying that Breer is plugged in. It's one thing when your Lions buddy from work thinks it's going to happen (no offense to them, I'm sure their sources are strong), but it's another thing entirely when Breer does it. If anything can take the sting out of the last month, it's the possibilities of the next one.