DONE DEAL: Detroit Lions Projected to Make Blockbuster Trade for Khalil Mack …
The Detroit Lions are in the news due to rumours regarding their offseason acquisitions, especially the reported interest in obtaining Los Angeles Chargers’ esteemed All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack. A deal this magnitude might boost Detroit’s defensive capabilities and provide a dynamic counterbalance to Aidan Hutchinson, the developing star for the Lions, according to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus.
The Exchange
Spielberger thinks the Detroit Lions send Mack to the Chargers in return for a 2025 fourth-round pick, as you can see here.
Trade reward: a fourth-round pick in 2025
A one-year, $23.25 million non-guaranteed contract was obtained.
Like with DeAndre Hopkins’ trade last offseason, this will be a difficult needle to thread, and even though other teams obviously want to sign the veteran wide receiver, the Arizona Cardinals will eventually have to just let him go. But in this league, that interest comes at a cost, and Mack’s 2024 contract is outrageous for an edge defender at 33 years old—especially one who just finished as successful a season as he did in 2023.
Through this deal, Khalil Mack—a former Las Vegas Raiders draft pick who is now a Chicago Bear—would go from an AFC West squad to an NFC North team. While they don’t want to get too aggressive with a number of important in-house extensions on the horizon, Detroit and general manager Brad Holmes have done an incredible job of adding young talent through the draft and came very close to making it to the Super Bowl in 2023. However, choosing their moment to add a shrewd veteran difference-maker like Mack could push them over the edge.
Despite Mack’s stellar 2023 campaign, which included a career-high 17 sacks, his big contract for 2024 poses a significant obstacle. On paper, this move seems good, but it might greatly improve the Lions’ defence by combining Hutchinson’s developing skill with Mack’s experience.
