The Detroit Lions' offense had a lot of issues in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. The core of those issues was a largely absent ground game, in terms of effectiveness (2.1 yards per carry) and volume (22 attempts).
The refurbished interior of the Lions' offensive line particularly struggled in the season opener, and struggles with communication in some situations was a noticeable issue. As expected, everyone involved is saying those issues are easily fixable heading into Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
But if the Lions can't get their run game on track fairly quickly, and the interior lineman in particular keep struggling, something may have to be done. This particular issue, unlike another ongoing issue, will not be able to be set aside and ignored if it persists.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes is clearly never going put any priority on the present while sacrificing future assets.
But there should be moments when he shifts that mindset, and a struggling offensive line would be that moment. Holmes himself has called that unit the engine of what the Lions do.
Lions urged to make move to fix big issue (if it persists)
A good performance from the offensive line against the Bears would go a long way to rendering any conversation about changing anything moot. But if the issues continue...
Among seven trades he tabbed as win-win for both sides heading into Week 2, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report proposed a deal for the Lions.
Lions Get: G Joel Bitonio
Browns Get: 2026 4th-Round Pick, WR Dominic Lovett
"A lot went wrong for the Detroit Lions in Week 1, but their poor offensive line play was the most glaring issue. The Lions had issues at guard, specifically, following two big offseason departures."
"The Lions let right guard Kevin Zeitler depart in free agency. They also moved left guard Graham Glasgow to center following Frank Ragnow's retirement."
"Rookie second-round pick Tate Ratledge is in at right guard and will likely be given time to develop. However, Detroit may want to consider replacing left guard Christian Mahogany, who was graded 64th among 78 guards in pass blocking last week by Pro Football Focus."
"If the Browns are willing to sell off good players in anticipation of a full-on rebuild, the Lions should see if guard Joel Bitonio is available. The seven-time Pro Bowler will turn 34 next month but remains a fantastic interior blocker—PFF graded him first overall among guards in Week 1."
"A player of Bitonio's caliber would usually cost more than a high Day 3 selection and a rookie seventh-round draft pick. However, Cleveland badly needs receiver depth, and Bitonio is an impending 2026 free agent who could potentially retire after this season."
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Since the Lions don't currently have a third-round pick in 2026, Holmes may be hesitant to part with the proposed fourth-rounder. But the bigger potential fly in the ointment of this trade is only giving up Lovett, who played three special teams snaps in Week 1. The Browns may need wide receiver depth, but would that compel them to take a complete flier on a rookie who was a Day 3 draft pick?
Trading for Bitonio would obviously be a short-term fix for the Lions at left guard, and it would not mean they are giving up on Mahogany as the future there.
Losing two proven commodities on the interior offensive line, and shifting Glasgow to a position he is known to not necessarily have a preference for, was bound to be (at least) an early-season issue for the Lions. No one outside of Allen Park is surprised it was an issue in Week 1.
Any idea of the Lions trading for Bitonio, of someone of his ilk, comes down to this. If the current interior offensive line pieces continue to struggle, how many games will it take before hope they can figure it out dissipates internally? 2? 3? 4?