As the Detroit Lions look at options to replace the injured Aidan Hutchinson, there's a strong case that no stone should be left unturned. To that end, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano led the Week 7 edition of their weekly buzz column with a look at edger rusher options on the trade market for the Lions to replace Hutchinson.
Fowler started by directly mentioning Haason Reddick, with the news the New York Jets are allowing him to pursue a trade now. He also has a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to ideally make facilitating a trade easier.
"Haason Reddick would be an obvious player the Lions can inquire about, and I've been told they have reached out. Reddick's recent hiring of agent Drew Rosenhaus, who is known for getting deals done expeditiously, could improve his chances of either staying with the Jets or facilitating a trade. Multiple teams have long believed the Jets have no choice but to cut ties eventually, and Detroit would be smart to at least attempt a deal."
-Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com
The #Lions have checked in on the Haason Reddick situation, per source. Could just be diligence. But Dan Campbell promised that GM Brad Holmes is doing his homework and that appears to be the case here. https://t.co/Wueh5pfTDt
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 16, 2024
John Maakaron of SI.com noted a very cordial relationship between Lions' general manager Brad Holmes and Jets' general manager Joe Douglas.
Having @DrewJRosenhaus as an agent would facilitate a smooth trade, if the Lions and Jets agree to terms.
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) October 16, 2024
--Recall, Lions traded for Mims. I'm hearing Brad Holmes and Joe Douglas are very cordial
Lions have reached out about Haason Reddick, which may mean nothing
Of course it's a long way from Holmes making a call to Douglas and a deal actually getting done. Reddick is not a good-looking fit for the Lions, or a lot of reasons. This week's reveal that the Jets would have to send the Philadelphia Eagles a 2026 second-round pick if they trade him to an NFC team seemed to put all the forced tying of Reddick to the Lions to bed.
There's no denying Reddick's sack production; 50.5 sacks over the last four seasons. But playing for three teams in those four seasons feels like a red flag, and he may be about to be traded by the Jets without taking a snap for them. He also obviously wants a new contract, hence why he has shown for nothing since the Jets acquired him from the Eagles.
Fowler's report creates a headline and a story to cover, but he even acknowledged the Lions' call about Reddick may just have been due diligence. Thus it may be much ado about ultimately nothing, as Holmes simply explores all avenues to replace Hutchinson. Calling about Reddick may have just been to check that box, and remove any wondering about what the Jets want in a trade.