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Lions have talked trades, but Dan Campbell doesn’t expect to be active at deadline

ALLEN PARK— The [Detroit Lions](https://www.detroitnews.com/sports/lions/) have swung a deadline trade in three straight seasons, acquiring pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2024 and 2023, respectively, and sending tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

Will general manager Brad Holmes make it four in a row in 2025? Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t totally rule out the possibility Friday, but he cast some doubt on the idea of making a move.

“Look, I don’t,” Campbell said, when asked if he expects the [Lions](https://detroitnews.sports.gracenote.com/football/nfl/team/1) to be active before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t. (Holmes has) brought up a couple of things already, but there again, I’m so focused on the here and now and the roster we have in place, getting these guys ready to go.”

There aren’t many holes for the Lions to fill. They could target a cornerback, given the position’s attrition, but Terrion Arnold is expected to return against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and veteran D.J. Reed (hamstring) figures to be back at some point. Plus, Detroit’s depth on the outside — notably, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside — has stepped up mightily in recent weeks.

How about a pass rusher? The Lions are down Marcus Davenport (chest), but Campbell believes he’ll come off injured reserve this season, and Al-Quadin Muhammad has proven to be a viable option opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Muhammad has 27 pressures and five sacks through seven games, including a career-best nine pressures in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 20.

“I love where we’re at,” Campbell said. “I think the roster is healthy, I think it’s in a good position, I think we have depth. But like I said, (Holmes is) always looking to improve the roster. That’s one of his jobs, and he does a hell of a job at it.”

Campbell wouldn’t share how many potential trade targets Holmes has approached him with, but he described the two as having “open communication.” Holmes, assistant general manager Ray Agnew and the front office do their work, studying those around the NFL who could potentially be had. If enough boxes are checked, Campbell gets looped in.

“If there’s somebody he knows that he feels good about, and that I would, then he’ll bring it,” Campbell said of Holmes. “Otherwise, he doesn’t bog me down with any of that. Listen, the amount of time spent and players that are looked at between he and Ray and that staff, you’d be shocked the hours that goes in. They’re doing the legwork. If there’s somebody that he thinks is intriguing, he thinks the price could be right, it’s somebody, maybe, he fits us, it could be a need, then it comes to me. Like, ‘Hey, let’s check this out.’

“But otherwise, he just kind of stays away from that. Which is all good, man.”

The Lions recently had their team Halloween party, and we saw some creative costumes come to life. Quarterback Jared Goff was the chef from Pixar’s “Ratatouille.” Rookie receiver Dominic Lovett was the Joker. Offensive lineman Christian Mahogany was Shrek.

But none of those getups have anything on what Campbell wore many years ago, when his wife, Holly, purchased him an outfit so that he could pretend to be Marilyn Monroe. Campbell recalled the costume Friday, tabbing Holly as “the creative one” in their relationship.

“I actually had broken an ankle, so I was on crutches, too,” Campbell said. “So, that was great.”

Told he’s a good sport, Campbell replied: “Yeah, I guess so. Alcohol helps.”

The Campbell residence plans to hand out Reese’s and M&Ms to Friday’s trick-or-treaters. “That’s usually kind of been the staples. That’s where we go,” Campbell said. “It’s not the caramel apples or anything.”

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