Question: Should the Lions go all-in on the 2024 season?

[Cody_Russell]

Dominant win today. Go Lions!

The elephant in the room is the Hutchinson situation and hearing about the significance of the injury. Prayers to Hutch. He was playing like an all-pro and the best defensive player in the league this season. One of my favorite players dating back to his Michigan days. I bought a new Lions Hutchinson jersey this offseason and hope that wasn’t a jinx. Bad luck for Hutch and hope he heals up.

The big topic of this week will be this question: Do you think the Lions should go all-in on this season? Generally curious what people think because it could be divisive subject. Everyone will have an opinion.

The Lions have said they’re about the long term and sustaining success. However, that’s difficult because this is the NFL. You never know when the window can open and close. This is the best Lions team in my lifetime. Hypothetically losing Hutchinson would create a glaring hole at edge rusher. It’s one of the most significant positions in the NFL. Brad Holmes’ former boss Les Snead (Rams GM) embraced the “F them picks” strategy when they had a Super Bowl window. It worked in 2021. Lions haven’t shown they’re willing to go there yet, but maybe it’s time. NFC North has never been better and the Lions will need some ammunition to get through this tough schedule. The goal is to contend for a Super Bowl now. You never know what an offseason of turnover can look like. Ben Johnson could be gone and I would assume he takes Hank Fraley as OC as an example.

My answer is “Yes.”
I would even be in favor of all chips on the table for Maxx Crosby. Perhaps there’s better bargain options out there on bad teams. I ultimately think the time to win is now. Lions can figure out the consequences later. Give me one Super Bowl win and I’m set for life as a fan.

[dsred]

Yes. Go get Max Crosby. If Hutch comes back and is halfway effective it's Super Bowl time.

[chemiclord]

Personally? If it were me, I'd be on the line with the Raiders and accepting whatever the price is.

Holmes is a lot smarter than me when it comes to building a team.

[whatever_gong82]

F them picks!

Go get Crosby!

[El Axe]

I'm wishy washy atm. I have no problem giving up the picks. It's the Franchise-level long-term contract and future cap hell that concerns me with a player like Crosby.

I'd be happy to overpay in draft picks for a good DE who has a shorter contract.

I think I'll be disappointed if we don't pick up anyone, but Holmes has certainly earned my trust.

[dsred]

Hendrickson?

[El Axe]

I don't know if this is accurate, but here are a couple posts from reddit on Crosby's contract:

Signed through 26 with his largest cap hit this season ($30m). That hit goes down each year ($28m then $24m). He’s making $24.6m base this year, then $22m in 25, $18.8 in 26. It’s really not a bad contract for what you get.

Not to mention there’s actually a potential out “Crosby has two years remaining on his current contract but there is an “out” following the 2024 season. He could potentially be a rental piece for a contending team and would likely yield a significant trade package back to the Raiders”. We could convince a 27 year old in his prime to restructure after the year and we could have two best two edge rushers when hutch gets back.

if that's accurate, that sounds doable considering we have a good amount of cap space this season. It's less than I thought it was at least.

Here's the actual spotrac numbers:

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[Mainevent]

Raiders aren’t trading Crosby and even if he was available I don’t think the Lions would make such a move.

[chemiclord]

The reason Crosby keeps coming up is because the Lions are the only team other than the Raiders he'd consider playing for, by his own words at that. The Raiders are ass, and Crosby shoved one of the team's coaches today, showing a ton of frustration. On top of that, the Lions could make that contract work; it wouldn't be easy, but it's possible. And on top of that, if there was anyone in the NFL that was the closest analogue to Hutchinson... that guy is Maxx Crosby.

So I understand why his name keeps coming up. But no; Holmes is not going to make that trade. Far too rich for his blood when if he needed to make a move, there are other, cheaper options that would be available.

[DanO]

Personally? If it were me, I'd be on the line with the Raiders and accepting whatever the price is.

Holmes is a lot smarter than me when it comes to building a team.

My thoughts as well.

[Cody_Russell]

I feel a little less emotional when compared to 6pm yesterday. A night of sleep helped. It’s rough when one of your favorite players goes through that injury. Feel terrible.

Maybe it’s worth going through a trial period and seeing what the Lions edge rushers can do in a big game vs the Vikings next week? See what the Lions have there. A big trade can wait until the right opportunity if needed. I’m leaning on the more pessimistic side of what Paschal, Ukwu, Houston, and others can do this season. We’ll see. Lions and other teams now have a week to adjust to the significant change. Then if my hunch is right and the pass rush on the edge notably falls off a cliff, honestly consider a trade.

It just sucks because the interior pass rush popped off. That unlocked the full potential of the Lions D yesterday.

[DanO]

Houston we have a problem and we need your help.

[froot loops]

Nowasake looked pretty good yesterday.

[Mainevent]

The fact that Iffy and Barnes are out compounds the problem because they are both excellent blitzers. Barnes even just as a straight up edge rusher has been pretty good.

[El Axe]

Campbell played some edge last year. With another year under his belt and both Rodrigo and JRM, very capable players, available at LB, might be worth a shot.