Dan Campbell continues to tease Detroit Lions fans about a potential trade while also insisting they’re not in panic mode.
The NFL trade deadline is now just over a week away: Tuesday, November 5 at 4 p.m. ET. Time is starting to run short for the Detroit Lions to add a much-needed pass rusher, but coach Dan Campbell is keeping the team’s intentions a mystery.
During his Monday afternoon press conference, Campbell played both sides of the coin, insisting that the team was not in a desperate spot while also playfully teasing that a move could be coming down the pike.
“We’re still talking about it, and we’re still working through it,” Campbell said of the team’s trade options. “I’m not concerned. There’s other ways of creating pressure. Would you like a little more? Yeah, you’d like a little more […] but we’re aware. We’re still looking at it, but no, I wouldn’t say we’re in panic mode.”
A few questions later, Campbell was asked directly if there were trades in the works that could be completed in the next 24 hours. That’s when Campbell got a little playful.
Question: “Do you feel there’s anything imminent on the trade front in the next 24 hours?”
Dan Campbell: “Yeah, could be.”
Question: “No, seriously…”
Campbell: “Could be.” pic.twitter.com/4g8Hgc1N3b
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 28, 2024
Most agree the Lions pass rush needs some reinforcements. Not only did the Lions lose premier pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to an injury that will hold him out until at least the Super Bowl, but Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, and Derrick Barnes are all also on injured reserve. This past game against the Tennessee Titans—with Josh Paschal also temporarily sidelined—the Lions had to play two practice squad players in Al-Quadin Muhammad and Isaiah Thomas on the edge, while moving Levi Onwuzurike from the interior to the outside.
In the two games since Hutchinson’s, injury the Lions’ defensive line has been responsible for just a single sack. Although this past Sunday, Muhammad and Onwuzurike produced six and five pressures, respectively. against the Titans.
Campbell also noted that Detroit has ways to cover their issues, if necessary. As he puts it, “every team has warts,” and it’s on the coaching staff to do their best to compensate with other units. That’s something Detroit may have to do by putting a little extra dependency on their secondary.
“How do you do the best you can to cover up some of your deficiencies? That’s the name of the game,” Campbell said. “We talk about Hutch—we’re not going to be able to replace Hutch, but there’s other that things we can do, and you know what? You put a bigger burden on your back end, is what you’ve got to do. And we’ve done that and they’ve risen to the challenge. Has it been perfect? No, but we are getting takeaways, which is huge.”
Thus far, the Lions are second in the NFL in turnover margin, sitting at +10 through seven games. That includes the second-most takeaways on defense (15) and the second-most interceptions (10).
But it’s fair to wonder if the Lions secondary can continue that rapid pace of takeaways. Both Sam Darnold and Mason Rudolph had stretches against the Lions defense when they were doing whatever they wanted in the passing game. If that interception well dries up, Detroit would need pass rushing assistance, and it’s not looking like that piece is on the roster right now.
