For years, the Detroit Lions fan base has been salivating over the thought of getting Michigan native Maxx Crosby again to his house state, however it hasn’t occurred, and it possible will not ever occur.
Crosby is again in Las Vegas after a botched commerce with the Baltimore Ravens, and Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes appears to have zero curiosity in bringing on a high-cost veteran edge-rusher equivalent to Crosby. Plus, the Lions actually need not spend as a lot as Crosby would value on an edge rusher, as a result of their 2026 NFL draft class consists of Michigan Wolverines edge Derrick Moore, they usually made a free-agent signing in D.J. Wonnum.
However, even with Moore and Wonnum within the fold, the Lions may use veteran depth within the edge place, they usually need not pay a excessive worth for it. There’s nonetheless an accessible edge-rusher on the free-agent market who may make for a strong match.
Dan Campbell and the Lions ought to take into account this still-available edge-rusher
In a bit out on Monday, ESPN’s Matt Bowen pairs the Lions with Jadeveon Clowney, who has seemingly dated each staff within the NFL, however he is at the moment accessible. Effectively, not each staff, however Clowney has been with seven NFL groups, the latest being the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.
“Detroit drafted edge rusher Derrick Moore within the second spherical to play reverse Aidan Hutchinson on pass-rushing downs, however Clowney would offer extra depth up entrance,” Bowen notes within the piece. “He had 8.5 sacks and 32 pressures final season in 13 video games for the Cowboys, successful late within the right down to get to the quarterback. Clowney would offer rotational worth for coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit.”
Brad Berreman of SideLion Report adds: “The proportion likelihood the Lions signal Clowney is an entire lot decrease than no matter it’d’ve been in March. However so long as he is accessible, the previous No. 1 total decide must be someplace on the radar as a prime free-agent match.”
Whereas it is actually the case that the Lions do not appear poised so as to add to their edge-rusher room earlier than September, in the event that they had been to make that transfer, Clowney would make sense. He brings a troublesome, veteran presence to the sphere at a really perfect fee, and that is one thing the Lions may depend on when gamers begin to get injured.
