2025 Detroit Lions: 4-1 Lions win battle of the big cats. (49 Viewers)

[msudaisy26]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Is FA over already?

 

[msudaisy26]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Is FA over already?

Was it for the corners?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Is FA over already?

Was it for the corners?

You still haven't said who you think would be better at CB.

 

[BobbyLayne]

St Brown Brothers pod: Puka Nacua

 

[Zeppelin]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Who says they are ignoring the defensive line? It's only day 2 of free agency and they will address the line.

There was a significant drop in the quality of free agent corners after the top 3 of 4 and we got one (and really needed one) at a very reasonable price.

There is still plenty of cap room to address the line.

 

[msudaisy26]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Who says they are ignoring the defensive line? It's only day 2 of free agency and they will address the line.

There was a significant drop in the quality of free agent corners after the top 3 of 4 and we got one (and really needed one) at a very reasonable price.

There is still plenty of cap room to address the line.

I think the quality of defensive line is way down now barring a trade.

 

[msudaisy26]

Didn't they just sign the #1 rated FA by ESPN available.

He really isn't that good. He is decent. It is a weak CB market this year.

So you don't think it was a good signing, got it.

Exactly what I said.

So which CB available would have been a better signing.

I would prefer to focus on the defensive line to make the corners better. Hendricks is still out there, Micah maybe, Reddick on a cheap prove it deal, Sweat etc.

So you would have ignored CB in FA. Got it.

Exactly what I said again. You are really good at this.

Thank you.

You would rather they ignore the defensive line coming off all the injuries. The lines win the games not the corners.

Is FA over already?

Was it for the corners?

You still haven't said who you think would be better at CB.

Anyone cheap or draft them. Spend that money on the lines.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The Commanders have agreed to terms with S Will Harris on a two-year, $8 million with a max value of $10 million, source says.

Former third-round pick of the Lions heads to Washington after a season with the Saints.



am I the only one shocked he’s still in the league?

Awesome. I hope the Commanders sign Vildor next.

Cam Sutton still out there

ETA: for WAS

 

[Zeppelin]

I wouldn't mind the Lions kicking the tires on Dexter Lawrence. He was injured in week 4 last year (foot injury) but had 3 sacks and 14 tackles in only 4 games. He was a pro bowler the previous 2 seasons. He is 32 but is still capable of playing at a high level.

 

[msudaisy26]

I wouldn't mind the Lions kicking the tires on Dexter Lawrence. He was injured in week 4 last year (foot injury) but had 3 sacks and 14 tackles in only 4 games. He was a pro bowler the previous 2 seasons. He is 32 but is still capable of playing at a high level.

If they do something like that I would want them to double up with a Zadrius, Bosa, or any of the guys that already signed. Plus a guy in the draft. Keep those older vets fresh and healthy.

 

[Zeppelin]

The Lions were officially awarded their compensatory pick for Aaron Glenn being hired by the Jets. It is the 38th pick in round 3, which is 102 overall.

 

[msudaisy26]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

 

[Zeppelin]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. He just wasn't very good. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

 

[msudaisy26]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

It is one year prove it deal. It may not work, but thr upside is huge. Way better than Davenport's deal the last two year years.

Miller played 13 games with 6 sacks. This isn't the 2016 Miller.

 

[Zeppelin]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

It is one year prove it deal. It may not work, but thr upside is huge. Way better than Davenport's deal the last two year years.

Davenport's deal this year only has $1.65 million in guarantee money and the max with incentives is only $4.75 million. That's a low risk high reward contract where Bosa's is high risk high reward. The only way I would sign a player like Bosa is with low guaranteed money and the rest in incentives. And he was not all that good last year.

 

[msudaisy26]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

It is one year prove it deal. It may not work, but thr upside is huge. Way better than Davenport's deal the last two year years.

Davenport's deal this year only has $1.65 million in guarantee money and the max with incentives is only $4.75 million. That's a low risk high reward contract where Bosa's is high risk high rewards.

For a guy that played a game last year vs. 14 games.

 

[Zeppelin]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

It is one year prove it deal. It may not work, but thr upside is huge. Way better than Davenport's deal the last two year years.

Davenport's deal this year only has $1.65 million in guarantee money and the max with incentives is only $4.75 million. That's a low risk high reward contract where Bosa's is high risk high rewards.

For a guy that player a game last year vs. 14 games.

That's why the contract has very low guaranteed money. Very little risk.

 

[msudaisy26]

Joey Bosa one year 12.6 to the Bills. This is the type of chance the Lions need to take and back it up with a Lawerence, Zadrius, etc.

Bosa played 14 games last year and only had 5 sacks and that's playing opposite Kahlil Mack. I think injuries may have taken a toll. In addition, he played a total of 28 games the last 3 seasons. No way I'm paying him $12.6 million.

It is one year prove it deal. It may not work, but thr upside is huge. Way better than Davenport's deal the last two year years.

Davenport's deal this year only has $1.65 million in guarantee money and the max with incentives is only $4.75 million. That's a low risk high reward contract where Bosa's is high risk high rewards.

For a guy that player a game last year vs. 14 games.

That's why the contract has very low guaranteed money. Very little risk.

Low risk and low reward. He is cooked. Plus you can back up Bosa with another defense end in free agency and in the draft.

Davenport doesn't have that upside.

 

[Payne]

Philly obviously did the right thing getting Barkley from the Giants. But it should be noted that he was a FA signing, not a trade. Most of that team was built through the draft, not trading away high picks for players.

The AJ Brown trade was where the team switched gears. Same thing the Lions need to do IMO.

 

[Payne]

Brad Holmes was named Exective of the Year last season, which was well deserved. Brad Holmes has executed 4 of the top 6 drafts in Lions history. When was a Lions GM ever considered the best in football? Pretty safe guess is never. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have been the best thing ever to happen to the Lions organization and a large number of fans still constantly criticize and second guesses them. Pretty amazing.

While I agree, is it not ok to question them? Building a team is one thing. Winning a Super Bowl is another.

I'm amazed how many Lion fans are content with just being very good.

 

[Payne]

The Bills have spent $500 million just in the past few weeks resigning their own. Yet they managed to sign Bosa.

Yet what we hear (and some of you post) is that the Lions need to save to resign their own. I have said it numerous times, good teams find ways to manage it.
Why can't we?

The Rams went all in with Stafford. They didn't have a 1st rounder for years. Yet here they are back in contention.

If Brad is so good, give up the picks to get somebody to help this team win. He has the ability to find late round gems.

I understand many of you are content with being a very good team. But it sometimes takes bold moves to put you over the top.

Buffalo wants to win it all. Do we?

 

[Zeppelin]

Last year, the Eagles didn't win because of free agents or trades. They built their core through the draft. They had a couple of key players acquired via free agency and trades, namely Barkley and Brown but they didn't destroy their salary cap.

The biggest difference between the Lions and Eagles last year is the Lions were decimated with injuries and the Eagles weren't. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of one major injury they had to an important player.

I'm not taking anything away from them but they were the healthiest team in the NFL last year and the Lions were the least healthy team.

 

[Zeppelin]

Buffalo wants to win it all. Do we?

100% yes.

 

[Payne]

Last year, the Eagles didn't win because of free agents or trades. They built their core through the draft. They had a couple of key players acquired via free agency and trades, namely Barkley and Brown but they didn't destroy their salary cap.

The biggest difference between the Lions and Eagles last year is the Lions were decimated with injuries and the Eagles weren't. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of one major injury they had to an important player.

I'm not taking anything away from them but they were the healthiest team in the NFL last year and the Lions were the least healthy team.

Those are two HUGE moves. In all seriousness, tell me ONE move the Lions have made that is even close to either of those moves.

 

[Payne]

Buffalo wants to win it all. Do we?

100% yes.

How? By replacing one corner with another? Where have they gotten better?

And please don't tell me to wait for the draft. Every team still gets to draft.

 

[Zeppelin]

The Lions were 3-13-1 in Brad Holmes first year, then 9-8, 12-5, then 15-2 with 6 defensive starters on IR. If they were healthy they arguably had the best roster in the NFL and at one point were favored to win the Super Bowl.

 

[Zeppelin]

Buffalo wants to win it all. Do we?

100% yes.

How? By replacing one corner with another? Where have they gotten better?

And please don't tell me to wait for the draft. Every team still gets to draft.

Free agency just started yesterday. You act like they are all done acquiring players. Who cares what the roster looks like right now. There will be good players cut and others available for trade. There is no reason to be impatient and panic.

 

[Zeppelin]

And please don't tell me to wait for the draft. Every team still gets to draft.

Every team can draft but few if any have the track record in the draft that Brad Holmes has. And this draft is loaded with edge rushers and defensive tackles.

 

[Zeppelin]

Lions sign defensive tackle Roy Lopez for 1 year $4.65 million. No, it's not a big splash but he has started 50 games in his 4 years and is a pretty good player.

Before this our interior line consisted of Alim McNeill, who is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), Mekhi Wingo, who might not be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), and DJ Reader. There is also Brodrick Martin, who had been a bust so he can't be counted on. So while this wasn't a big splash, it was important to get a good quality interior lineman.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Lions sign defensive tackle Roy Lopez for 1 year $4.65 million. No, it's not a big splash but he has started 50 games in his 4 years and is a pretty good player.

Before this our interior line consisted of Alim McNeill, who is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), Mekhi Wingo, who might not be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), and DJ Reader. There is also Brodrick Martin, who had been a bust so he can't be counted on. So while this wasn't a big splash, it was important to get a good quality interior lineman.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 318 pounds, Lopez was an above-average athlete coming out of Arizona when he was drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2021. He played two seasons there before he was waived/injured and picked up by the Arizona Cardinals.

Lopez was a 16-game starter for the Cardinals last season and has averaged 480 defensive snaps per season during his four-year career. Primarily aligning heads up against the center or in the A gap between the center and guard for the Cardinals, Lopez has never been much of a pass-rush threat, generating just 3.0 sacks and 22 total pressures in 63 career games.

Lopez is the third nose tackle on Detroit's roster, joining veteran D.J. Reader and 2023 third-round pick Brodric Martin. It's immediately unclear if Lopez's addition has any short- or long-term impact on their roster spots. It's worth noting that Reader has a $4 million roster bonus due later this week.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Last year, the Eagles didn't win because of free agents or trades. They built their core through the draft. They had a couple of key players acquired via free agency and trades, namely Barkley and Brown but they didn't destroy their salary cap.

The biggest difference between the Lions and Eagles last year is the Lions were decimated with injuries and the Eagles weren't. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of one major injury they had to an important player.

I'm not taking anything away from them but they were the healthiest team in the NFL last year and the Lions were the least healthy team.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Lions sign defensive tackle Roy Lopez for 1 year $4.65 million. No, it's not a big splash but he has started 50 games in his 4 years and is a pretty good player.

Before this our interior line consisted of Alim McNeill, who is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), Mekhi Wingo, who might not be ready for the start of the season (torn ACL), and DJ Reader. There is also Brodrick Martin, who had been a bust so he can't be counted on. So while this wasn't a big splash, it was important to get a good quality interior lineman.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 318 pounds, Lopez was an above-average athlete coming out of Arizona when he was drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2021. He played two seasons there before he was waived/injured and picked up by the Arizona Cardinals.

Lopez was a 16-game starter for the Cardinals last season and has averaged 480 defensive snaps per season during his four-year career. Primarily aligning heads up against the center or in the A gap between the center and guard for the Cardinals, Lopez has never been much of a pass-rush threat, generating just 3.0 sacks and 22 total pressures in 63 career games.

Lopez is the third nose tackle on Detroit's roster, joining veteran D.J. Reader and 2023 third-round pick Brodric Martin. It's immediately unclear if Lopez's addition has any short- or long-term impact on their roster spots. It's worth noting that Reader has a $4 million roster bonus due later this week.

He does fill a hole until whoever they eventually draft at that position develops and Alim finally makes it back.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Best Remaining NFL Free Agents as of 10 p.m. EST Tuesday:

• WR Keenan Allen
• WR Tyler Boyd
• WR Noah Brown
• WR Brandin Cooks
• WR Amari Cooper
• WR Stefon Diggs
• WR Van Jefferson
• WR Diontae Johnson
• WR Tyler Lockett
• WR Elijah Moore
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
• WR Mike Williams
• G Mekhi Becton
• G Will Hernandez
• G Teven Jenkins
• G Brandon Scherff
• G Kevin Zeitler
• DI Calais Campbell
• DI Levi Onwuzurike
• ED Dante Fowler
• ED Dennis Gardeck
• ED Matthew Judon
• ED DeMarcus Lawrence
• ED Von Miller
• ED Azeez Ojulari
• ED Preston Smith
• ED Za’Darius Smith
• LB Tyrel Dodson
• LB Eric Kendricks
• LB Kyzir White
• CB Rasul Douglas
• CB Kendall Fuller
• CB Stephon Gilmore
• CB Mike Hilton
• CB Jonathan Jones
• CB Asante Samuel
• S Julian Blackmon
• S Quandre Diggs
• S Damar Hamlin
• S Justin Simmons
• S Juan Thornhill

 

[Zeppelin]

Best Remaining NFL Free Agents as of 10 p.m. EST Tuesday:

• G Mekhi Becton
• G Will Hernandez
• G Teven Jenkins
• G Brandon Scherff
• G Kevin Zeitler
• DI Calais Campbell
• DI Levi Onwuzurike
• ED Dante Fowler
• ED Dennis Gardeck
• ED Matthew Judon
• ED DeMarcus Lawrence
• ED Von Miller
• ED Azeez Ojulari
• ED Preston Smith
• ED Za’Darius Smith

The above are the players at the 3 positions we need and the bolded are the ones I would be interested in the most.

 

[Zeppelin]

Below are the starters drafted by Brad Holmes:

Year 1:
Penei Sewell (1st)
Alim McNeill (3rd)
Amon Ra St. Brown (4th)
Derrick Barnes (4th)

Year 2:
Aiden Hutchinson (1st)
Jameson Williams (1st)
Kerby Joseph (3rd)

Year 3:
Jahmyr Gibbs (1st)
Jack Campbell (1st)
Sam LaPorta (2nd)
Brian Branch (2nd)

Year 4:
Terrion Arnold (1st)

That's 12 starters and the vast majority are high end starters. That doesn't count Christian Mahogany who started 2 games last year and played at a very high level. He almost certainly will start this year so that makes 13. That's is one hell of a core of starters and they are all young.

The 11 starters (most of them high end starters) in Holmes' first 3 drafts is as impressive as I ever seen. The man knows how to draft.

This years draft is very deep at edge and interior defensive line which are our 2 biggest needs. Obviously we still need help in addition to the draft but the above is why I'm not in favor of trading high picks for players that will blow a hole in the salary cap. We would lose at least 2 or 3 starters in the next couple of years and not have the draft capital to replace them. It would drastically shorten our window to win.

I'm not against trading high picks but I'm not a fan of doing it and adding $30-35 million in salary.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Mike Clay Off/Def Ranks after first wave of FA

Lions:

• Off 4th
• Def 5th
• Overall 2nd

Weakest positional group is DI.

10 point scale:

QB 8
RB 10
WR 8
TE 8
OL 9
DI 4
ED 8
LB 7
CB 7
S 8

Doesn’t rank ST but IMO it’s 8-9 for K, 10 for P, 7-8 for PR/KR and 8-9 for coverage.

This is an interesting way to break down a teams strengths and weaknesses. Do you know if he plans on doing updates as FA continues?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Mike Clay Off/Def Ranks after first wave of FA

Lions:

• Off 4th
• Def 5th
• Overall 2nd

Weakest positional group is DI.

10 point scale:

QB 8
RB 10
WR 8
TE 8
OL 9
DI 4
ED 8
LB 7
CB 7
S 8

Doesn’t rank ST but IMO it’s 8-9 for K, 10 for P, 7-8 for PR/KR and 8-9 for coverage.

This is an interesting way to break down a teams strengths and weaknesses. Do you know if he plans on doing updates as FA continues?

page 61 of his annual projection guide

he updates it throughout the offseason, every couple weeks. post free agency, after the new year league, pre draft, post draft, et al, until the initial 53-man is set.

the projections themselves are conservative, think of them as low end barring any significant injury.

 

[msudaisy26]

The Lions were 3-13-1 in Brad Holmes first year, then 9-8, 12-5, then 15-2 with 6 defensive starters on IR. If they were healthy they arguably had the best roster in the NFL and at one point were favored to win the Super Bowl.

This exactly why you make a big move or two. They are very close, do what it takes to get to the finish line.

 

[Zeppelin]

The Lions were 3-13-1 in Brad Holmes first year, then 9-8, 12-5, then 15-2 with 6 defensive starters on IR. If they were healthy they arguably had the best roster in the NFL and at one point were favored to win the Super Bowl.

This exactly why you make a big move or two. They are very close, do what it takes to get to the finish line.

There is no guarantee of getting to the finish line. If they would have made a big move last year (use Max Crosby as an example) they still wouldn't have won the Super Bowl. They would have blown a hole in their cap and signing Hutchinson would push them near the limit by himself. They would have very little flexibility to improve their roster in free agency and would also be down at least 2 firsts. That would be crippling.

Edit to add: Obviously there are exceptions. For example, if they could acquire a really good player with a salary in the $15-20 million range for one first round pick at a position with a glaring weakness then, depending on the situation, then maybe you make a move. It has to be manageable under the salary cap. But that would be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Payne]

The Lions were 3-13-1 in Brad Holmes first year, then 9-8, 12-5, then 15-2 with 6 defensive starters on IR. If they were healthy they arguably had the best roster in the NFL and at one point were favored to win the Super Bowl.

This exactly why you make a big move or two. They are very close, do what it takes to get to the finish line.

I've given up trying to argue the point.

Brad has done a great job rebuilding this team. There is no doubt. But the past two off-seasons he has failed to make the big move needed to win.
Last year, Davenport wasn't it.
Trade deadline, Smith wasn't it.
This year (so far), Davenport isn't it.

We have watched the Rams go all in with Stafford and win. And rebuild after only a few years.
We have watched the Eagle go all in (AJ Brown trade), win a Super Bowl, rebuild and go all in a second time (Saquon) to win a Super Bowl.
We watched San Fran trade for CMC and almost win a Super Bowl. (They should have)

These are facts. Not maybes.

Now we are seeing teams like Buffalo make big moves.

But the Lions? No. We are going to be smarter than everyone else and do it through the draft.
Meanwhile, we lost a majority of our coaching staff. Goff another year older. Taylor another year older. Ragnow another year older.
Some guys just don't want to admit that Super Bowl windows are small. Period. And when that window is there, you either jump on it or you watch it close.

 

[msudaisy26]

The Lions were 3-13-1 in Brad Holmes first year, then 9-8, 12-5, then 15-2 with 6 defensive starters on IR. If they were healthy they arguably had the best roster in the NFL and at one point were favored to win the Super Bowl.

This exactly why you make a big move or two. They are very close, do what it takes to get to the finish line.

There is no guarantee of getting to the finish line. If they would have made a big move last year (use Max Crosby as an example) they still wouldn't have won the Super Bowl. They would have blown a hole in their cap and signing Hutchinson would push them near the limit by himself. They would have very little flexibility to improve their roster in free agency and would also be down at least 2 firsts. That would be crippling.

Edit to add: Obviously there are exceptions. For example, if they could acquire a really good player with a salary in the $15-20 million range for one first round pick at a position with a glaring weakness then, depending on the situation, then maybe you make a move. It has to be manageable under the salary cap. But that would be the exception rather than the rule.

There are no guarantees no matter what, and it wouldn't ruin their cap. The Eagles are signing people all the time, the Chiefs just freed up 50 million, Cowboys freed up a bunch of money, the Saints are like 80 million over every year before the new league season starts.

Get a guy like Crosby last year wasn't a one year move. It would have been for last year and the next couple.

They can't only do the cheap stuff, they have take some risks.

 

[Spartans Rule]

We have watched the Eagle go all in (AJ Brown trade), win a Super Bowl, rebuild and go all in a second time (Saquon) to win a Super Bowl.

If signing Saquon for 3/38 constitutes “going all-in”, then the Lions already went all-in with DJ Reed at 3/48.

If anything Barkley’s a good argument for careful spending and value hunting rather than just throwing money and picks around.

 

[Zeppelin]

the Chiefs just freed up 50 million, Cowboys freed up a bunch of money, the Saints are like 80 million over every year before the new league season starts.

All 3 of these teams freed up money because they were over the cap and have to be under today at 4pm.

 

[msudaisy26]

the Chiefs just freed up 50 million, Cowboys freed up a bunch of money, the Saints are like 80 million over every year before the new league season starts.

All 3 of these teams freed up money because they were over the cap and have to be under today at 4pm.

Exactly. Just like the Lions could do next year or in 27 or whatever by taking a shot or two.

 

[Payne]

We have watched the Eagle go all in (AJ Brown trade), win a Super Bowl, rebuild and go all in a second time (Saquon) to win a Super Bowl.

If signing Saquon for 3/38 constitutes “going all-in”, then the Lions already went all-in with DJ Reed at 3/48.

If anything Barkley’s a good argument for careful spending and value hunting rather than just throwing money and picks around.

You just compared signing Saquon to signing a corner to replace a corner. Makes zero sense.

 

[Payne]

the Chiefs just freed up 50 million, Cowboys freed up a bunch of money, the Saints are like 80 million over every year before the new league season starts.

All 3 of these teams freed up money because they were over the cap and have to be under today at 4pm.

One of which has also won multiple Super Bowl.

 

[Payne]

the Chiefs just freed up 50 million, Cowboys freed up a bunch of money, the Saints are like 80 million over every year before the new league season starts.

All 3 of these teams freed up money because they were over the cap and have to be under today at 4pm.

Exactly. Just like the Lions could do next year or in 27 or whatever by taking a shot or two.

I just don't get it. I agree with you. Every other team finds a way. But apparently, we don't have the brainpower to do the same.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Last year, the Eagles didn't win because of free agents or trades. They built their core through the draft. They had a couple of key players acquired via free agency and trades, namely Barkley and Brown but they didn't destroy their salary cap.

The biggest difference between the Lions and Eagles last year is the Lions were decimated with injuries and the Eagles weren't. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of one major injury they had to an important player.

I'm not taking anything away from them but they were the healthiest team in the NFL last year and the Lions were the least healthy team.

They lost Nakobe Dean in the playoff game vs. GB, but point taken. If you go back and read the "Who is the best team in week [X]?" threads, I said, it's the team that is the healthiest.

But to your initial point, their roster was a combination of good drafting and picking the right FAs. Zach Baun, Saquon Barkley and CJGJ were homerun FA signings. They changed the entire complexion of the team on both sides of the ball.

 

[Zeppelin]

Last year, the Eagles didn't win because of free agents or trades. They built their core through the draft. They had a couple of key players acquired via free agency and trades, namely Barkley and Brown but they didn't destroy their salary cap.

The biggest difference between the Lions and Eagles last year is the Lions were decimated with injuries and the Eagles weren't. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of one major injury they had to an important player.

I'm not taking anything away from them but they were the healthiest team in the NFL last year and the Lions were the least healthy team.

They lost Nakobe Dean in the playoff game vs. GB, but point taken. If you go back and read the "Who is the best team in week [X]?" threads, I said, it's the team that is the healthiest.

But to your initial point, their roster was a combination of good drafting and picking the right FAs. Zach Baun, Saquon Barkley and CJGJ were homerun FA signings. They changed the entire complexion of the team on both sides of the ball.

Those are the kind of smart free agent signing that good teams do. The contracts didn't break the bank and the players were very good. You guys have managed the cap the way you're supposed to and your GM is similar to Brad Holmes in that he knows how to draft.