After losing a big name, the Lions aren't hunting big game. Dan Campbell said Tuesday the team is more inclined to trade for a "complementary piece" than a star to offset the loss of Aidan Hutchinson.
"Honestly I think if anything, you’re looking for really a role player, somebody that can set an edge, that can transition into rush," Campbell said on 971. The Ticket. "I mean, look, as you guys know, elite rushers and edge setters don’t just fall off trees — or if they do, then you’re going to have to sell the farm to get them."
That would take the Lions out of any theoretical trade talks for a defensive end like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, an idea that Adam Schefter has already dismissed as "fantasy football." If either player were even available, the price would likely start with multiple first-round picks. As Campbell said Monday, the Lions are "not in a hurry to make a move." They "believe in the guys that are here."
"But I do think there could be some guys out there, man, that will fit into what we’re doing defensively," Campbell said Tuesday. "They can serve a role, they can help maybe supplement what’s going on inside with what we got with (Alim McNeill) and Levi (Onwuzurike) and (DJ) Reader and those guys. I think more than anything, you’re looking for at least a complementary piece."
Schefter on Monday referenced the trade the Seahawks made in sending a sixth-round pick to the Jaguars for veteran defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris as "the kind of move I think the Lions will look to make, if they can make a move."
"The Lions would have to come up with such a substantial, significant offer that it's unrealistic to expect that they could go trade for Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett," Schefter said. "They're going to look to see if they can find some defensive help, but it will be somebody that steps in in a secondary role."
Hutchinson was playing at a Defensive Player of the Year caliber level through the first five games, "and that's going to be missed," said Campbell. "There’s no way around it. But that production has to go somewhere for us to stay as potent as we’ve been."
In addition to McNeill, Onwuzurike and Reader, who's "probably going to play a little bit more for us," Campbell pointed to Josh Paschal as a defensive lineman who needs to keep elevating. He also cited practice squad players Isaac Ukwu, Mitch Agude, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Cam Gil, as well as James Houston.
"Those guys gotta help, and so do the linebackers. Alex (Anzalone) and Jack (Campbell), because we may use them a little bit in some of these areas. It’s really going to take everybody on that defense to elevate a little bit here and do a little bit more, and we'll be just fine," Campbell said.