The Detroit Lions may get an up-close look at a possible trade target when they head to Miami on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean a deal is likely to happen.
With the Dolphins sitting at 1-6 under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley, the organization could be forced to consider moving pieces before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. One name that has surfaced is linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a player who would make sense for Detroit on paper and come with a hefty price tag in reality.
Brooks signed a three-year contract extension in July that keeps him under team control through the 2029 season. Any move for him would mean taking on the rest of a deal that includes $35 million guaranteed and $51.3 in total new money, which is no small ask for the Lions.
Still, the idea was floated by Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, who pointed to the injury to Jack Campbell as a major reason Detroit could even consider it.
“There is the fact that that leaves a significant hole for the Lions at the linebacker position,” Breer said. “And so, would you make a call on somebody like Jordyn Brooks in Miami?
I don’t think Miami wants to let go of its veteran leaders, but they’re another team that needs players. I look at Jordyn Brooks as somebody that you could potentially make a move for if you’re willing to put something valuable in front of the Dolphins.
“I think it’s somebody that could be around for an extended period. A lot of that is going to depend on Jack Campbell’s status,” Breer continued. “I don’t want to talk too much about this in football terms because I think we’re more worried about him as a human being right now, but again there are football implications to that.”
Brooks has been exactly the kind of steady presence a defense can lean on. Playing inside linebacker for Miami, he has put together a strong season, and per Pro Football Reference, he has 63 tackles without missing any, the most without a missed tackle by any player this season.
He’s also been one of the fastest players to pile up career production, becoming the eighth-fastest player to reach 900 career tackles since 1994, doing it in 104 games.
From a fit standpoint, Brooks checks a lot of boxes for Detroit. He’s a reliable tackler, a productive second-level defender and a veteran who could help stabilize the middle of the Lions’ defense for the long haul.
But the fit and the price are two different things. Miami would have little reason to move him for anything cheap, especially with the team control it has and the leadership value he brings while the Dolphins try to rebuild under Hafley.
And there’s another factor working against the idea: Brad Holmes’ track record. During his time as general manager, the Lions have tended to make smaller deadline moves rather than swing big. They’ve usually preferred tweaks over splash.
So while Brooks looks like a clean football fit for Detroit, the odds of the Lions making that kind of move still appear slim.
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Lions Defense Is Already Feeling Jack Campbells Absence
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The emotional reach of the injury has stretched beyond Detroit, too, with Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley offering support for Campbell and the Lions. For a defense that leans on Campbells presence and steadiness, the immediate task is as much about keeping the unit grounded as it is about filling snaps. The Lions now have to manage the football side of the absence while carrying the human side of it, which is never easy in a week like this. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Get A Needed Linebacker Boost Sooner Than Expected
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White has said he feels good about where his recovery stands, and the next checkpoint should provide a clearer picture of how close he is to getting back on the field. For a defense that has had to keep patching holes, even the possibility of adding him back into the mix this month is a welcome development. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Tough Reality In Miami Despite Their Winning Streak
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The betting market has already reflected some of that concern, with the total climbing even as the spread has stayed put. It points to a game that could stay tight and carry more scoring than usual, but for Detroit the bigger question is whether a battered defense can hold up long enough to let the winning streak survive another week. [Read more 🡒]