The Detroit Lions have a standout defensive end in Aidan Hutchinson, but the buzz around town is why the team hasn't paired him with another elite pass rusher. Lions president Rod Wood has laid those questions to rest, making it clear that Detroit isn't pursuing someone like Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby in the trade market.
Wood addressed the chatter in a Sunday interview, drawing parallels to past discussions about the need for a second star receiver alongside Calvin Johnson. "Everyone thought we needed another receiver opposite Calvin," Wood remarked, referencing the legendary wideout known as Megatron, who racked up 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns over his career.
The idea of adding Crosby certainly had its allure, but it came with a hefty price tag. The Baltimore Ravens were ready to part with two first-round picks for Crosby before the deal fell through due to a failed physical.
For the Lions, who already boast a Super Bowl-caliber roster, such a gamble on future assets wasn't worth the risk. Instead, they might look to the draft for their next defensive star.
Wood likened the situation to having two high-paid quarterbacks on one team, a rarity in the NFL. "It’s like having a great starting quarterback as a backup," he explained. "There just aren’t enough top-tier guys available."
Investing heavily in another defensive end alongside Hutchinson could tie up a significant portion of the salary cap, potentially up to $80 million. This would mean sacrificing depth elsewhere on the roster. While the Lions would love another dominant pass rusher, Wood emphasized the strategy of finding that talent through the draft rather than splurging in free agency.