Radio host wants Lions to pursue particular big move to replace Aidan Hutchinson

As the Detroit Lions look at options to replace Aidan Hutchinson for the rest of this season, the first move was predictably low-end and not needle-moving. Which doesn't mean there isn't something bigger brewing on the trade front, it just feels unlikely to be for some of the bigger names that are easy to hone in on.

On his Monday show, Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket had a partially dismal view of the Lions' prospects without Hutchinson, at least in terms of winning the Super Bowl this year. The caveat was unless they swing for the fences, which as Valenti acknowledged would be uncharacteristic for general manager Brad Holmes.

But Valenti did offer a bold option the Lions to pursue.

"I’m being serious — Myles Garrett. The Cleveland Browns are in disrepair, they are in a free fall. They are gonna have to, at minimum, draft a quarterback this year which will trigger a rebuild. The fact is, whether they are able to package picks and move Deshaun Watson to, say Carolina, to eat the money, you’re triggering a rebuild If you keep Watson, and the ginormous cap hit next year, you’re triggering a rebuild. What don’t you have money for? $20 million a year edge rushers. Myles Garrett has three years remaining on his deal, $20 million bucks a year. It’s reasonable, it’s long-term, it fits the team’s window and right here, right now."

Lions rumors: Is Myles Garrett a gettable trade target?

Valenti also outlined what he would offer for Garrett.

If we believe this Lions team is still very good, you’re gonna be picking somewhere between 25 and 32 each of the next two years. Agreed? Call Cleveland up, offer a first-round pick and see where it goes from there," Valenti said. "Myles Garrett. And don’t tell me Myles wants to sit there in Cleveland and rot the rest of his career.” 

Dan Patrick also suggested the Lions call the Browns and ask about Garrett.

Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac broke down the financial implications of a Garrett trade.

That $860,000 for the rest of this year is the current prorated portion of Garrett's $1.21 million base salary for this year, through six weeks. That would drop by $403,333 each week before the trade deadline. Those numbers for 2025 and 2026 are not small, but the fully guaranteed salary in his contract is gone after this year.

Trading for Garrett comes down to the cost, if the Browns would trade him and/or if he asks for a trade. The Lions seem unlikely to pay the expected cost, since it would surely cost no less than a second-round pick (if not a first-rounder). But there is a bandwagon building for the Lions to at least see about the reigning Defensive Player of the Year's availability.