The Detroit Lions were among the NFL’s top offensive teams in 2023, but they struggled defensively. That said, in order to build on their recent success and contend for a Super Bowl, it is imperative that they strengthen that area this offseason.
But the Lions will have to make franchise-altering decisions in order to accomplish that. They are fully aware that, in order to have a chance at winning, they must seize the opportunity presented by their current standing and keep enhancing their roster.
Having said that, acquiring Justin Simmons, a safety for the Denver Broncos, through trade might be the right combination to propel them to the top.
Justin Simmons is sent to the Detroit Lions in a proposed trade.
The Lions-Broncos trade for Simmons was proposed in a recent Bleacher Report article by Brad Gagnon, who outlined potential landscape-shifting transactions.
The Lions need a defensive lift, so signing Simmons should help them. The Broncos, without a quarterback to guide them and the organization apparently on the verge of rebuilding, appear to be making the proper decision by dealing an aging veteran.
Not to mention that releasing Simmons will free up valuable cap space. The 30-year-old safety is still under the $61 million contract he signed with the Broncos in 2021, with his cap charge for 2024 set at $18.2 million, according to Spotrac.
BR said the following on the probable trade:
Yeah, this one isn’t as flashy as the others. But, given how close the Detroit Lions were to winning the Super Bowl in 2023, a deal for a game-changing defender may be the type of move that propels the team to the top in 2024.
Veteran safety Justin Simmons matches that description and answers a need for a defense with plenty of potential for improvement after placing 13th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2023, according to FTN.
Simmons is approaching 30, and a Denver Broncos club that hasn’t been competitive can save $14.5 million by moving on before the two-time Pro Bowler’s walk year, according to Spotrac.
They can move him out of the conference to a team that will receive more bang for its buck with him as a contender in 2024.
Given that the agreement benefits both the Lions and the Broncos, it’s definitely worth looking into when the offseason officially begins.
The Detroit Lions’ defense needs a boost.
As previously stated, the Detroit Lions might benefit from a defensive addition to help propel them into contention. They advanced all the way to the NFC Championship, but their 19th-ranked overall defense ruined them.
After leading by 17 points at halftime against the San Francisco 49ers in the conference battle, the Lions crumbled, allowing the Niners to win instead.
Dan Campbell’s aggressive offensive is excellent, but they definitely require an equally strong defense to balance it out. Adding a talent like Justin Simmons is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. If the Broncos make him available, the Lions should not hesitate to call.
