We’re trying something a little different with the Detroit Lions this week. I asked for questions on Twitter, Bluesky, and Threads, and you delivered. Topics range from a Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Jared Goff MVP debate to Detroit’s trade deadline plans, Brian Branch’s return, and the state of the Lions’ secondary.

Gibbs or Goff for MVP?

The Time Traveling Cat Dad asks: “If Jahmyr Gibbs breaks LaDainian Tomlinson’s touchdown record but Jared Goff doesn’t throw an interception all season, who is the NFL MVP?”

You touched on it in the question. The MVP almost always goes to a quarterback. I’m open to a fact check here, but I believe Adrian Peterson was the last running back to win it, and that was a while ago.

Still, breaking Tomlinson’s record would mean 32 touchdowns for Gibbs. That’s insane. I don’t know how you give the award to anyone else. He would win Offensive Player of the Year without a second thought, and he’s already the favorite for that one.

Voters also tend to reward players on the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. That shouldn’t be a qualification, but it is. Goff probably needs Detroit to land one of those spots to have a real shot.

Plus, a full season without an interception is nearly impossible. Goff will throw one at some point, and probably more than one. If he pulls it off, though, that’s a big deal.

Who will the Lions trade for?

Mike Kimber of Lions Chat asks: “Who do you believe the Lions will trade for?”

This is the hardest question to answer right now. Too much is up in the air.

The guy I want is Zyon McCollum. Our Bucs beat writer Evan Winter joined us last week and said there was essentially zero chance Tampa Bay moves him unless the package is good enough. I think the Lions should make it good enough. McCollum is playing the best football of his career, and he could be your top cornerback in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

If you’re asking who I think Detroit actually lands, though, it’s probably Donte Jackson from the Chargers. He’s a career starter who’s dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out the past couple of weeks. You could likely get him for a sixth- or seventh-round pick. I don’t see why the Lions wouldn’t do it.

Don’t expect a blockbuster. The teams with Pro Bowl and All-Pro cornerbacks are in good spots and have no reason to sell. Detroit’s one shot at a big swing was Joey Porter. For what it’s worth, that hasn’t gone well in Dallas so far. He has missed a game with an illness and has also dealt with an ankle injury.

I do believe the Lions make at least one trade, possibly more. Just nothing huge.

Is help coming at outside linebacker?

The next reader asks: “Will the Lions try to add an outside linebacker, or do they think Rolder will contribute?”

It’s the latter. You have to understand what Rolder lost. He missed most of training camp, and that’s a ton of early reps he now has to make up. Detroit also typically runs a two- to three-week ramp-up for players coming back from injury.

You’ll see more of Rolder as the season goes on, but the bulk of what he can do probably shows up in 2027. That’s not a knock on him. It’s the hand the Lions were dealt.

Unless someone gets released and Detroit puts in a claim, or it’s a practice squad move, I don’t see an addition here.

Brian Branch’s impact

Mongo from Shrek 2 asks: “How much and how quickly do you think Brian Branch’s return will impact our defense?”

Immediately. Lions coach Dan Campbell talked Tuesday about how Branch’s versatility lets everyone else just do their job. Branch can play either safety spot or the nickel. That frees Chuck Clark to do what he’s good at. Keith Abney can focus on bracketing tight ends. The outside corners know they have help over the top to take away explosive passes.

The question is how much he plays right away. Campbell hinted that Branch probably won’t see 70 snaps. My guess is 35, maybe 40 at most. That’s still a lot of Branch, and long term, having him back is invaluable.

Why Tyler Lacy?

Boatload CEO LLC asks: “It’s a serious question, no shade, but what exactly does Tyler Lacy do that’s so effective?”

I think this mostly comes from people wanting to see Ahmed Hassanein. I’d like to see him too. He had a productive summer, and he can rush the passer.

But Detroit’s top priority is stopping the run, sometimes to a fault. Lacy is a good run defender who can play the big end spot or kick inside. The Lions just trust him more there right now.

He’s also not playing much. Lacy has 129 snaps, which ranks 99th among 171 edge rushers. Hassanein would probably see a similar workload. The defensive line is getting pressure, so the coaches don’t want to shake it up. The run defense looked better against Arizona, New York, and New Orleans. Now it has to hold up against Green Bay.

Can a middling secondary reach the Super Bowl?

Godless Speaks from Threads asks: “Has any team in the 21st century gotten to the Super Bowl with a middling secondary like the Lions?”

Yes. Two come to mind.

The 2011 New York Giants ranked 29th in passing yards allowed and 27th in total defense. They barely made the playoffs and then got hot at the right time.

The 2022 Kansas City Chiefs ranked 18th in passing yards allowed and 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed. Their offense willed them to a title anyway.

Detroit’s situation looks similar. The offense is excellent, and the defense is struggling. Could the Lions get there as currently built? If they’re the team that showed up against Arizona, yes. If they’re the team that played Carolina, New Orleans, New York, and Buffalo, I don’t think so.

There’s a lot of season left. We’ll see where it goes.

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