The Detroit Lions’ overwhelming victory over the Dallas Cowboys came at a high cost, as ace pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson sustained a severe tibia injury late in the game. The former second-round pick, who was first diagnosed with a lower leg injury, will have to undergo emergency surgery for a broken tibia at a Dallas area hospital. The good news is that the surgery was successful, and the former Pro Bowler will fully recover with rehabilitation. The bad news is that he’s out for the season, leaving the 4-1 Lions with a significant void on their defensive line.
Hutchinson, who was selected second overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, has played a critical role in Detroit’s overnight rebirth. The Michigan product dominated from day one, ranking second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, making the Pro Bowl in 2023, and leading the NFL in sacks through the first five weeks of the 2024 season. Only a few pass rushers are as good as Hutchinson, and none of them are available for trade. However, the Lions require a replacement after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, and the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints have some intriguing trade targets.
After Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions could trade with the Panthers or the Saints.
After concluding the 2023 season with the poorest record in football, the Carolina Panthers spent the summer focusing on the team’s long-term future. First-year head coach Dave Canales understood he couldn’t solve every issue in one offseason, so he focused on the offence. While Andy Dalton and offseason additions such quarterback Robert Hunt, Diontae Johnson, and first-round selection Xavier Legette improved the offence, they couldn’t make up for the terrible defence. Carolina’s season is virtually finished at 1-4, and following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney could be traded to the Detroit Lions.
While Clowney has not lived up to his deal with the Panthers, it is worth noting that he was a significant member of the Ravens’ pass rush in 2023. Perhaps he is no longer capable of thriving as the sole menace on a defensive line, but he could be a better fit for the Detroit Lions. While Canales has shown promise with the Panthers, Dan Campbell is a more experienced head coach who might provide a perfect situation for Clowney following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury. Detroit needs someone to get after the quarterback, and Clowney possesses the physical abilities to do so.
Free Agent Rental
During free agency, the New Orleans Saints signed edge defender Chase Young to a one-year contract with low risk and high return. The Ohio State product, a former second-round pick himself, has the potential to be one of the game’s finest players but lacks the consistency to capitalize on his abilities. While he may not be the most reliable trade target, he has the biggest upside of everyone available. Nobody can match Aidan Hutchinson’s contributions to this defence, but Chase Young may be the closest to filling his slot following his injury.
Young has only 1.5 sacks this season, but he had 7.5 sacks with the Washington Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers just a year ago. New Orleans will not receive a third-round pick for his services, as the Commanders did, but they may receive a fifth-round pick that might be converted to a fourth with playtime incentives. Given that the Saints are 2-4 with fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler poised to start the next three games, New Orleans might admit that this isn’t their year and maximize their value on Young.
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