Detroit Lions Missed a Key Opportunity This Week
The NFL trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, November 4, and the Detroit Lions didn’t make any moves. The team was quiet on Tuesday, other than a few small roster moves, and even though the Lions’ roster is solid, they could have certainly benefited from getting in on a trade and getting ready for the road to the championship.
The Lions are coming off an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit, where the Vikings shut them down with a 27-24 final score. If anything, this game should have been a wake-up call that the Lions have some holes to fill in their roster. But, general manager Brad Holmes was very quiet on Tuesday, and the NFL deadline came without a whisper from the Lions’ camp.
Now, Holmes obviously knows what he’s doing. The Lions are 5-3 for the season, which used to be a pipe dream when it came to the record of the Lions franchise. So, Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have the expertise to make this team fly. But, they still missed out on two talents that would have been a great addition to the Detroit Lions’ squad.
Detroit Lions Miss 2 Top Trade Candidates
The Detroit Lions could surely use another solid defensive player to join Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive squad. But, they haven’t been interested in securing any pass rush help, and it was more of the same on Tuesday.
Two trade targets won’t be with the Lions anytime soon. One was Jaelan Phillips, a Miami Dolphins linebacker who would have been a solid fit for Detroit, who went to NFC rival the Eagles for a third-round pick. The other is Logan Wilson, another linebacker that who would have worked well with Hutchinson, who is now with the Dallas Cowboys.
Meanwhile, the Lions didn’t add anyone through a trade today. Let’s hope Hutchinson can handle the pressure, because it’s only going to get more difficult as teams scrap to make it to the playoffs. But, again, we trust Holmes, because he’s earned our trust.
A Big Trade Did Go Down, But Not With the Detroit Lions
One earth-shattering trade that did happen on Tuesday was the New York Jets trading Sauce Gardner, the teams’ former first round pick from the NFL draft in 2022, to the Indianapolis Colts.
Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is coaching the Jets, and the team has a record of 1-7, so Glenn has to make big moves to get this franchise back on track. Gardner will become part of the Colts, and in turn, New York will get a 2026 and 2027 first round pick, as well as former first rounder AD Mitchell, according to Ian Rapoport.
Now, NFL players are reacting to the news, and one is Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed. Of course, Reed used to play for the Jets, so he knows Gardner from their time as teammates.
Following the news of the trade, Reed took to X to react, posting, “Bro” with a collection of surprised emojis. Gardner also took to X to say farewell to New York, with a post stating, “New York it’s been real.” So, big moves for a former Lions coordinator in Glenn but not for the current Lions.
Aaron Rodgers Fires Back: "I'm Not Worried About the Bucs – I'll Be Ready When It Matters."
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got some good reps against Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers in joint practice on Thursday, but it looks like they won't get the same courtesy on Saturday when the two sides face off in their preseason game at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed before joint practice even began that Rodgers, with a few other starters, would not be facing off against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of preseason. The decision mirrors Tampa Bay's experience two years ago in 2023, when the Bucs faced off against the New York Jets and Rodgers in joint practice and then didn't get to see him in the game itself.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has a bit of a different tune. He's confirmed that all starters will play in this upcoming game, save for three — quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers won't play against Buccaneers
Rodgers sat out Pittsburgh's first preseason game, and there's a good chance he might end up sitting out the third, too. Rodgers is 41 years old and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play football, so his need for postseason time is limited — at the same time, though, he came to Pittsburgh quite late, so it's interesting that he wouldn't want to get some in-game reps with his new teammates in a new system before the regular season starts.
Regardless, the Bucs' defense (sans Lavonte David) won't see him out there. Instead, quarterback Mason Rudolph will get the start against the Buccaneers. Rudolph started the team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he completed nine passes out of 10 attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rudolph has started games in the NFL, and while he's not incredible by any means, he should be a decent challenge for the Buccaneers defense — as much of a challenge as he can be with such a limited playbook, at least.
The Bucs defense, meanwhile, features a revamped unit that will see the likes of nickel corner Jacob Parrish, cornerback Benjamin Morrison and free agent acquisition Haason Reddick come into the fold. Morrison is injured and won't play Saturday, but this will be another great opportunity to players like Parrish and Reddick to get a feel for Todd Bowles' system in a game setting. Parrish had a decent outing against the Tennessee Titans last week, but Reddick will get his first game reps with the Buccaneers on Saturday.
