Lions Fans Unsatisfied With 'Unserious' Trade Deadline
In recent weeks, injuries have battered away at the Detroit Lions' depth chart.
The team has been without starting cornerback D.J. Reed since Week 4 and safety Kerby Joseph since Week 6. Additionally, they could be without as many as three starting offensive linemen against Washington in Week 10 as Christian Mahogany, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell are all banged up.
Because of all these injuries, many Lions fans expected general manager Brad Holmes to be active in making an addition in one of these areas of need prior to Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.
On a day where multiple blockbuster trades were made, though, the Lions ultimately stood pat. Holmes made multiple roster moves, but they were to release a pair of injured players and sign a new offensive lineman to the practice squad in Jack Conley.
Holmes did not make a trade prior to the deadline, marking the first time the team has stood pat under his guidance since his first year in 2021.
In their tenure working together, Holmes and Campbell have been dilligent about the moves they make when it comes to trade. The organization values draft capital, and is willing to pass on a deal that doesn't fit their price range.
Multiple contending teams made moves on Tuesday, with the biggest move being the Indianapolis Colts' decision to trade two first-round picks and wide receiver A.D. Mitchell to the New York Jets for All-Pro cornerback Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who are widely viewed as a favorite in the NFC, made a pair of additions to their defense in Jaire Alexander and EDGE Jaelen Phillips.
Acknowledging all the areas where the Lions would benefit from making additions, fans were largely upset about Detroit's lack of aggression at the deadline. Others on the more positive side noted the Lions' history of patience and expressed their trust in Holmes, who has built a good track record in the draft.
With Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Rams and another game with each NFC North opponent still on the schedule for Detroit, it will be made clear in the future whether or not the Lions' roster is truly good enough to make a deep playoff run in the 2025 season.
Under Holmes and Campbell, the Lions' trademark characteristics of grit and toughness have fueled them. Once again, with a loaded back-half of the schedule, these traits will be tested as the Lions look to reach their first Super Bowl in team history.Here is a sample of the online reaction to the Lions' decision not to make any trades at the deadline.
This one tweet could explain everything about Lions' quiet trade deadline
While it's extremely rare to see an offensive lineman get dealt at the deadline, we saw just that ahead of this year's deadline. Except, it didn't happen to the benefit of the Detroit Lions, but to the benefit of the Los Angeles Chargers, instead.
Benefit is a strong word, though. Trevor Penning was traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Chargers, adding a left guard to their line that's in desperate need of depth following multiple injuries. Penning has a PFF grade of 50.4 this season, and isn't exactly a premier pass protector. That's what the Chargers need for Justin Herbert, and they simply didn't get that.
You may be wondering why the Lions didn't at least make a smaller trade for a lineman, like the Chargers did. Well, that could be explained by a very interestingly timed tweet from rookie guard Miles Frazier, who has yet to suit up for the Lions this season due to injury:
Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the New York Giants.
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
GettyTroy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on the field after defeating the Houston Texans.
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
