For the last four seasons, the Detroit Lions have spent enough time near the playoff line to make the trade deadline matter. That’s the spot where contenders decide whether to stand pat or get aggressive, and in 2024 the Lions found a move that paid off right away: Za’Darius Smith.
Smith’s run in Detroit has already put him in rare company under Brad Holmes. ESPN recently ranked the addition as the franchise’s best in-season trade deadline move in recent memory, with Eric Woodyard pointing to the immediate production Smith delivered after arriving.
“The Lions have plenty of impactful offseason trades, including ones that helped them land quarterbacks in Jared Goff (2021) and Bobby Layne (1950). But the best in-season deal in terms of immediate impact likely goes to Smith.
He had four sacks in eight regular-season games for the Lions, who had a team-record 15 wins and earned the NFC's No. 1 seed in 2024. Detroit received Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft selection from the Browns for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder.”
Even with that impact, Smith’s stint in Detroit was brief. He didn’t stay long-term, and the Lions still didn’t turn that move into a playoff win, a Super Bowl title or even a Super Bowl appearance after bringing him in.
That’s why the bar feels higher now. The Lions should be looking to do more than replicate the Smith deal this season. They have a chance to make a bigger swing, one that leaves a larger mark on a team that looks built to push deeper into January.
Brad Holmes needs a bigger deadline to boost Lions during 2026 season
There was a clear reason Holmes stayed quiet a year ago. In 2025, Detroit had too many issues to clean up, and the NFC was crowded enough that the path to the postseason never looked clean. One deadline move, or even two, wasn’t going to fix a roster that was dealing with injuries and inconsistency.
That call ended up holding up. The Lions never got going and missed the playoffs. Instead of spending assets on a short-term fix, Holmes kept the draft pick and used it on offensive tackle Blake Miller, who is impressing as a rookie.
This year feels different. Detroit is sitting among the top teams in a tight NFC race, and with a pair of important wins already banked against the NFC North, the Lions have put themselves in position to matter in the division.
That’s the opening Holmes has been waiting for. A Smith-level addition would help, but the bigger goal is to make a move that changes the shape of the roster for the stretch run. If Holmes wants to put his stamp on this team, this is the moment to do it.
In Other News...
Lions Face A Brad Holmes Question After Jack Campbell Scare
Jack Campbells injury has left the Lions with a sudden hole in the middle of their defense, and the timing could hardly be worse. With the trade deadline approaching, Detroit suddenly has a roster issue that goes beyond simple depth, because Campbell had been a key piece of the linebacker group and now is unavailable for the foreseeable future.
For Brad Holmes, the question is whether this is the kind of moment that nudges him toward a move he usually prefers not to make. The Lions have generally been cautious about big deadline swings, but the latest reporting points to linebacker help as a real possibility, with cornerback reinforcements also on the table as Detroit weighs how to steady the defense without its injured starter. [Read more 🡒]
Jack Campbells First Update Gives Lions Fans Real Relief
Jack Campbells first public update after the neck injury he suffered against the Vikings brought a wave of relief to Detroit, where the linebacker has quickly become one of the more respected young pieces on the roster. The Lions shared his statement, and the reaction from fans was immediate, with support pouring in for a player whose toughness has already made him a favorite around the team.
Campbell said he is optimistic about his recovery, and the tone of the message mattered just as much as the medical details. For a Lions defense that has leaned on his presence, any encouraging sign after such a frightening moment is welcome news, even if there is still a long road ahead before anyone knows what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Injuries Just Put Unexpected Pressure On Two Key Defensive Groups
Injuries have started to squeeze Detroit in a few places at once, and the timing is especially awkward for a defense that has already had to manage moving parts this season. The Lions listed Cade Mays, DJ Wonnum, Jack Campbell, D.J. Reed, Jacob Saylors, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch among the players who were unable to practice or were limited, leaving the staff to sort through a crowded report before the next game.
The biggest concern sits in the middle and back end of the defense, where linebacker and safety depth can disappear quickly if availability keeps trending the wrong way. Kerby Joseph is already out for this week, and Jack Campbell is also unlikely to play, which raises the stakes for the next wave of defenders who may have to absorb more snaps and more responsibility in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]