The Detroit Lions discovered a rising talent in edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, yet encountered challenges in the previous season in maintaining a consistent pass rush beyond their sophomore standout.
However, the upcoming offseason holds promise for change, with the Lions emerging as a prime contender for Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones as he enters free agency.
Despite securing an $80-million contract in 2020, Jones returned to the Chiefs last season on a one-year deal, contributing significantly to their consecutive Super Bowl victories.
According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, Detroit stands as a potential destination for Jones in the forthcoming season, contingent upon the Lions’ willingness to meet his considerable expected salary demands.
“While his services will be pricy, there is no question that Jones would have a tremendous impact on Detroit’s ability to both get after opposing quarterbacks and shut down the run. The five-time Pro Bowler would make an especially excellent partner for 2022’s No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, who has started his career red-hot with 21 sacks over his first two seasons.”
Kay highlighted the Lions’ near miss in reaching the Super Bowl, emphasized by their loss of a 17-point lead against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. This game exposed glaring defensive weaknesses within the team, which Kay suggested the addition of Jones, deemed a “superstar,” could effectively address.
Despite the Lions’ efforts to bolster their secondary last offseason by acquiring safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, both players succumbed to long-term injuries. Kay acknowledged that while the Lions made strides in fortifying their defense, they still ended the season ranked in the bottom half of the league for both total and scoring defense.
Securing Jones would undoubtedly provide a significant lift to their pass rush, albeit at a substantial cost. Nonetheless, if the Lions view themselves as only a piece or two away from Super Bowl contention, a proactive approach becomes imperative. Signing Chris Jones could represent the bold move necessary to propel the team to championship caliber.
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