The Detroit Lions may not be done shopping for help on defense, and if Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat becomes available, he’d make sense as a name to watch.
Detroit already added Derrick Moore in the draft and signed DJ Wonnum this offseason, so the front looks more settled than it did earlier in the year. Aidan Hutchinson is again showing up like a force off the edge, and the overall front seven has been far better than it was in 2025. Even so, there’s a case for the Lions to keep pushing if the right pass rusher hits the market.
That’s the logic behind FanSided’s Zachary Rotman naming Detroit as a possible landing spot for Sweat in a recent piece listing 10 NFL trade candidates. Rotman pointed to Sweat’s production and contract situation as reasons a move could happen.
"Not only is Sweat a great player who had 12.0 sacks in 2025, but he also isn't owed much money this season and is owed zero guaranteed dollars in 2027, making him an easy contract to absorb for any contender. Ultimately, Sweat is 29 years old and likely won't be in Arizona when they're competitive. Why not get a haul for him now, when the team is likely to be bad, rather than risk his value plummeting down the line?"
For Detroit, the appeal is easy to see from a financial standpoint. The Lions have been careful about preserving flexibility, especially with extensions approaching for Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. They’re sitting on a little more than $37 million in cap space, which would be enough to handle Sweat’s $16.3 million cap hit.
If the Lions made the move, it would likely be a rental. And while that kind of addition could give Detroit a loaded-looking defensive line, the bigger issue on that side of the ball remains elsewhere. The Lions need help in pass defense first.
That problem has been glaring so far, with Detroit allowing 621 passing yards, 7.6 yards per passing attempt, and too many explosive plays through the air. So while an edge rusher is an interesting idea, it doesn’t quite line up with the most obvious need ahead of the November trade deadline.
In Other News...
Lions Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision They Can't Ignore
As the Lions continue to weigh ways to shore up their secondary, Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as a name worth monitoring in Pittsburgh. The Steelers cornerback has not signed a contract extension, and that alone has opened the door to trade chatter. CBS Sports took the idea a step further by laying out three mock trade scenarios involving Detroit, each built around different combinations of draft picks and players, which is enough to show how serious the discussion could become if the Steelers decide to listen.
For Detroit, the appeal is obvious: a young corner with upside who could fit a long-term need. But the cost matters just as much, especially with the Lions already managing their salary cap situation and trying to keep the roster balanced for the stretch ahead. The uncertainty around Porter's contract future is what makes this such a tricky call, because any move would have to account not just for what he brings now, but for what it would take to keep him around. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Fans Have One Reason To Watch This Jets Matchup Closely
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The bigger reason for Detroit followers to keep an eye on the crew is the way it has started this season. Through its first two games, Rogers group has been one of the more active penalty crews, and defensive holding has already been called often enough to shape drives and field position. For a Lions offense that likes to build rhythm and a secondary that can be tested vertically, the way this game is officiated could end up being part of the storyline before the fourth quarter even arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Need One Rookie To Hold Up In A Brutal Week 3 Test
Blake Miller was back on the practice field ahead of Week 3, a welcome development for a Lions team that missed him in the previous game because of injury. The rookie tackle has already shown he can handle himself as a pass blocker in limited action, and Detroit needs that steadiness back in front of Jared Goff as the offense tries to keep its rhythm against a tougher test.
The assignment does not get any easier from here. Miller is lining up for a difficult matchup with Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey, who has already turned heads with pressures and sacks early this season, and the Lions will be watching closely to see how the first-year tackle holds up after the layoff. For a line that wants to keep Goff clean and the passing game on schedule, this is exactly the kind of snap-by-snap stress test that can say plenty about where Miller is right now. [Read more 🡒]