Lions Trade For All-Pro Defender In This Blockbuster Proposal

After years of being stuck in purgatory, the Detroit Lions announced their presence during the 2023 season. The turnaround the franchise has undergone in a short amount of time under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell is astonishing.

For years, the Lions were the laughingstock of the NFL. Perennial losers no one was threatened by, they are now looking to become the apex predators of the NFC.

Last season, Detroit went 12-5, running away with the NFC North title. They were able to advance to the NFC Championship Game but blew a double-digit lead to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Lions will be looking to avenge that loss this season. Heading into training camp, they look to be one of the best teams in the NFL again.

This offseason was about reinforcing that foundation. Several of their cornerstone players, including quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tackle Penei Sewell, signed long-term, multi-year contracts.

The focus from here on out will be identifying areas of need and finding upgrades to keep this roster as a Super Bowl contender. One position they could look to upgrade, in the opinion of Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report , is defensive tackle.

Ballentine has suggested that the team make a splash and acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward from the Pittsburgh Steelers . He would solve a huge problem in the middle of their defense in the trenches.

“Pursuing an accomplished veteran like Cam Heyward could be the move that puts them over the top. The Lions came up short against the 49ers in part because they gave up 34 points, 4.7 yards per carry and only sacked Brock Purdy twice.

Adding Heyward to the interior of a defensive line that already has Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader could be the difference in those big games,” Ballentine wrote.

Heyward has been a cornerstone piece for the Steelers for years. He has played the first 13 seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, but the lack of extension talks could result in him playing out the string elsewhere.

Ballentine has proposed that the Lions offer the Steelers a third-round pick in exchange for Heyward. That is better compensation that Pittsburgh would receive should the 35-year-old opt to call it quits after the season, so the front office could consider flipping him for a Day 2 pick.

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