Lions Trade Pitch Nets $94 Million Pass Rusher to Replace Aidan Hutchinson

The Detroit Lions are considered one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL, but they suffered a significant blow on Sunday when they lost their top defensive player, Aidan Hutchinson, to injury. He is the current 2024 league leader in sacks (6.5).

When the Lions faced the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, their star pass rusher, Hutchinson, broke his tibia, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter . The injury required immediate surgery at a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport reported that Hutchinson is expected to be out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season .

It won't be easy for Detroit general manager Brad Holmes to replace him. In just Hutchinson's third season in the NFL, he's already established himself as a premier pass rusher, accumulating 82 tackles, 28.5 sacks and four interceptions since 2022.

The Detroit Lions have already lost pass rusher Marcus Davenport for the season due to a triceps injury. If Holmes decides to make a trade to replace Hutchinson, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports suggested what it would take to acquire Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.

Crosby is a two-time NFL All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler. He's totaled 308 tackles and 57.5 sacks in his six-year NFL career . In 2022, Crosby signed a four-year, $94 million contract that keeps him under contract until 2026.

Here's the trade Payton came up with:

• Lions get: Maxx Crosby and a 2025 5th-round pick
• Raiders get: 2025 1st-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, James Houston and Malcolm Rodriguez

"This is not going to be cheap for the Lions," Payton said. "I don't know if it'll take four picks, but a first-round pick will definitely be going out the door for this. I'm not sure the Lions would get something as good as a second-round pick back either."

Houston is a third-year linebacker who has yet to play this season. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Rodriguez is also a third-year linebacker drafted in the sixth round in 2022. He's appeared in five games this season and has recorded 11 tackles and one sack .

The Lions will continue their quest to avenge last season's NFC Championship loss to the San Francisco 49ers and reach the Super Bowl. Their next game is on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Related: Aidan Hutchinson's Sister Reacts To Horrific Injury vs. Cowboys