The Detroit Lions were quiet in the hours leading up to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, opting to stand pat as they prepare to make a Super Bowl run in the second half of the season.
Following a serious injury to left guard Christian Mahogany — and with Taylor Decker battling a shoulder injury all season —the Lions had a starting- and depth-level need on the offensive line, but it’s not all that surprising that the Lions weren’t able to add one.
Lions coach Dan Campbell played coy, per usual, when asked about the team’s needs ahead of the deadline, but spoke to the difficulty of acquiring a worthwhile offensive lineman midseason when making his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s “Costa & Jansen Show with Heather” on Tuesday morning.
“It’s hard to get rid of them if you’re the other team, so if you are (going to consider an offer), you’re gonna ask an astronomical amount,” Campbell said. “The later the season goes, it’s harder to find bigs. They don’t just fall off trees, especially tackles.”
Several other NFC contenders, however, did make moves. Six total trades were made Tuesday, the third-most of any deadline day since 1990, according to ESPN. The Philadelphia Eagles added pass rusher Jaelen Phillips from the Miami Dolphins on Monday. The Seahawks acquired high-end receiver Rashid Shaheed. Even the Bears made a minor move to shore up their pass rush, trading for Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
Whether due to the nature of the position or the asking price of potential targets — Campbell also reiterated on 97.1 that any deal would have to be for the “right price” — the Lions came away empty-handed.
Given the state of the interior offensive line, they’ve got another form of work in front of them.