Why the Lions won’t chase the remaining big-name edge rushers — Even if fans want them to

It just doesn’t make much sense that the Lions would add any big-name edge rushers at this time

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Colts should consider signing former number one overall pick and current free agent Jadeveon Clowney to add to their edge room following the NFL Draft
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) reacts after a sack against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) in the first half at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The acquisition period of the offseason is over for the Detroit Lions. They did a lot in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Especially in the trenches.

Still, there are a lot of Lions fans out there wondering if the Lions are done yet. Some are hoping for that one last-ditch hope that Detroit goes after a name at edge rusher. There are some guys out there on the open market still. Of note, Jadeveon Clowney, Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Haason Reddick, and Von Miller are all still out there. A bunch of Pro Bowlers Detroit could add.

Don’t expect the Lions to add any big-name edge rushers left on the market before the 2026 season

Right now, the Lions have three roster spots open, and the likelihood is that they will look to hold some tryouts and a mandatory minicamp to maybe fill some of those roles, and then there’s also the UFL, which the Lions love to pick from. There are also cut candidates for each team that could be claimed by Detroit. It just doesn’t make sense that any of these guys are with the Lions in 2026. There are multiple reasons.

The Lions likely feel pretty good about edge right now, and they should

Lions’ edge rushers

Every edge rusher currently on the Lions roster

  • Aidan Hutchinson
  • Derrick Moore
  • D.J. Wonnum
  • Ahmed Hassanein
  • Payton Turner
  • Tyler Lacy
  • Tyre West
  • Anthony Lucas
  • Eric O’Niell

Last year, the Lions went into training camp with eight edge rushers. Right now, they have nine guys. They have all the guys you’d need to go into the season. Your starters are in Hutchinson and Moore, and your rotational guys are in Wonnum and Hassnein. You’d like to maybe see one more depth piece, and maybe that’s Turner or Lacy.

Either way, a plan seems to be in place here, and it makes sense that the Lions would feel pretty good about it working. I would also keep a close eye on the cot candidates in this section closer to the season. There may be a claim out there that Detroit could use.

The defensive line help is needed along the interior of their defensive line

Lions’ Interior Defensive Linemen

Every interior defensive lineman on the Lions right now

  • Alim McNeill
  • Tyleik Williams
  • Levi Onwuzrukie
  • Skyler Gill-Howard
  • Mekhi Wingo
  • Jay Tufele
  • Myles Adams
  • Aidan Keanaaina
  • Chris Smith

That just doesn’t feel safe enough. There aren’t a lot of big names or anything like that out there for the Lions right now, but they may want to at least add one more guy who can make a big difference in terms of depth. Even bringing back Benito Jones would be worth it. He’s a solid run-stopping nose tackle. I’m not sure Detroit really has a nose tackle right now.

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