The Detroit Lions locked in Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on a long-term contract Wednesday. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Lions won’t be interested in adding another star along the defensive line to push for a Super Bowl run this season.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named the Lions a potential suitor for New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
“A three-time Pro Bowler with 40 sacks on his NFL resume, Williams is the sort of player who would land the Jets premium draft capital that could be used to chase a quarterback in 2026,” Knox wrote. “He won’t turn 28 until December, and he’s under contract through 2027.”
The Jets defensive lineman will be an expensive addition. Knox argued a first-round pick will be the starting point to acquire Williams.
But as the asking price suggests, Williams would likely be a difference maker. The veteran defensive lineman has made each of the last three Pro Bowls. He also earned a first-team All-Pro nomination during 2022.
This season, Williams has posted 32 combined tackles, including seven tackles for loss. He also has three forced fumbles, three quarterback hits and a sack.
How Quinnen Williams Could Fit With Lions
There’s a lot of attractive things about Williams. But the top thing for Detroit might be his versatility.
Williams mostly lines up as a defensive tackle in New York’s defense. However, he also plays some snaps at defensive end.
The Lions have dealt with injuries all along their defensive line over the past year. Adding Williams gives the team additional depth at multiple spots along the line.
Williams would improve both Detroit’s run defense and pass rush. According to Pro Football Focus, the 27-year-old is one of the top run defenders in the league this season.
Williams hasn’t made a huge impact at rushing the quarterback this fall. But he has in the past. From 2020-24, he registered at least 5.5 sacks every season.
During his All-Pro campaign, Williams had 12 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback hits.
Why the Lions Shouldn’t Acquire Williams
As exciting as the possibility of adding Williams is for Detroit, it would have made more sense for the Lions to make a move like that last season. And they didn’t.
This year, Hutchinson has returned to be the same budding superstar. Furthermore, defensive tackle Alim McNeill just played well in his 2025 debut.
Adding Williams to the group could give the Lions the best defensive front in the league. But it’s probably unrealistic.
With Williams, veteran D.J. Reader would be left without much of a role. Furthermore, Williams isn’t even half way through his four-year $96 million contract.
In 2026, the Jets defensive lineman will have a $26.65 million cap hit. That cap hit will then rise to $30.4 million for 2027.
The Lions and Jets could negotiate trade terms that give Detroit a more favorable cap number with Williams. But still, at the rate the Lions are re-signing their own players, the organization might not want to add such an expensive veteran.
Especially if that expensive veteran is going to cost a first-round pick and then some in draft capital.
Acquiring Williams would be the ultimate move to push all the chips to the middle of the table for the Lions. The aggressive trade could put the team over the top. However, it probably comes with too much risk for it to occur.
