1 position the Lions desperately need to target at trade deadline
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker has been holding things down for the team on the offensive line for years. He's been one of the NFL's best pass protectors, forming an unstoppable duo between himself and Penei Sewell. Jared Goff owes much of his success since 2023 to their work in the trenches towards protecting him.
Decker, however, is going through a rough 2025 campaign. A shoulder injury has been bogging him down since Week 1, and he returned after two weeks of rest to face off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 with some so-so play. It's obvious he's playing through pain, and that's not something the Lions should feel good about headed towards another postseason berth.
It's clear that Detroit should be targeting a left tackle at the deadline. But, the pickings are slim on that front, leaving the Lions with the hard choice to keep playing Decker at the position while subbing in Dan Skipper and a healthy Giovanni Manu eventually.
Lions are stuck between a rock and a hard place with left tackle woes
The options for the Lions on the trade market at left tackle would either cost the team far too much, or wouldn't solve their issues at the position. Braxton Jones is a solid tackle for the Chicago Bears who could be on the trade block, but the Bears and Lions would likely never make that deal with one another.
This is especially so considering Chicago has begun to improve since their slow start to the season, so they're legitimate threats to Detroit in the NFC North.
Another option at tackle generally for the Lions is Jermaine Eluemunor, the New York Giants' right tackle. He's sparsely played snaps at left tackle, so it's hard to imagine that the Lions would take a huge swing here for a tackle if they're not comfortable swapping sides. But, he'd be an excellent get for Detroit who would fit Sewell's timeline, as well.
It just goes to show how invaluable having a solid offensive line is in the NFL. Goff is not a mobile quarterback by any means, so having a clean pocket is imperative to his ability to keep posting MVP-esque numbers with this dynamic offense. The run blocking is also important here, as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery can't succeed without the blocking from the IOL and the work of Decker and Sewell.
Detroit might feel good about their defense at the deadline, especially since so many key pieces are coming back in November and December. Left tackle is not a position they should feel good about, depth wise, and it's one they should consider making a big swing on at the deadline to help Decker out in his recovery process.
Bears analyst has clear option for Ryan Poles to match Packers' Micah Parsons
Despite the excellent performance of the Chicago Bears' defense throughout training camp and the preseason, some questions remain surrounding the edge rusher position. After missing out on Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has an option in free agency that could help the team instantly keep up with the Packers.
Bears analyst Clay Harbor appeared on CHSN's "The Big Pro Football Show" as they discussed the talent level at edge rusher. Harbor had brought up that Poles has an option that can still help Chicago compete with the rest of the NFC North.
"The only legitimate option you have is to sign a guy like Za'Darius Smith...That's what you have to do to try to keep pace with the teams in your division."
Do the Bears need to make a move at pass rusher after missing out on Micah Parsons? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Qbgzv6G3DZ
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) August 29, 2025
Would Smith make that much of a difference for the Bears?
Smith knows the NFC North better than any player in the NFL as he has played for all the teams in the division except for the Bears. He spent three seasons with the Packers and one year each with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
During his 10-year NFL career, Smith has racked up 173 quarterback hits and 69 sacks in 140 games. He has selected in three Pro Bowls and one second-team All-Pro selection in 2020. Even at age 32, Smith still had nine sacks last year with the Cleveland Browns and Lions.
Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are the top options at pass rush for the Bears. Sweat is coming off the least productive season of his NFL career with just 5.5 sacks, while Odeyingbo had just three sacks in 2024 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Chicago also had Austin Booker, who is coming off a four-sack preseason, but was placed on IR and will be out for the first four games of the regular season. Outside of them, the Bears are light off the edge.
Smith would instantly come in, and even if he isn't a starter right away, he can give them a reliable and consistent pass rusher. He would open up opportunities for Sweat to get more shots at the quarterback with pressures.
Read more: Where NFL writer ranked Bears' Khalil Mack trade against Micah Parsons' trade
Now more than ever, the Bears have to make a move that will help maintain their competitiveness in the NFC North. The roster they have right now will make it tougher for them with the Packers, Lions, and Vikings all looking good in 2025.
