NFL insider fuels Detroit Lions rumors of impending trade in near future

The Detroit Lions enter Week 9 sitting atop the NFL power rankings despite dealing with Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury. As the NFL trade deadline approaches, there are persistent Lions rumors that a trade is in the offing.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell fueled the NFL rumors earlier this week, saying there “could be” an impending trade. However, he later walked that back slightly during a press conference more than 24 hours later, saying the media was “wasting energy” regarding his comments.

Related: NFL defensive rankings, see where the Detroit Lions land

Following Hutchinson’s season-ending injury, Las Vegas Raiders’ All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby along with Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett surfaced in NFL rumors. Both players would have filled the void by providing Detroit with a DPOY-caliber pass rusher to bolster its defense.

However, persistent NFL rumors in recent weeks have made it clear that neither Crosby nor Garrett are available. Meanwhile, New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick came off the market after agreeing to a contract resolution with the team. However, there is still a good chance that a deal will be reached.

Related: NFL insider reveals Pro Bowl EDGE rusher Detroit Lions could target

During a performance op Get upESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared Thursday that he believes the Lions will trade for an edge rusher.

‘Yes, I think you’ll see that. You could see Dan Campbell getting all excited. He was like the cat that ate the canary. They haven’t finalized a deal yet, but there are a few pass rushers currently in place: Za’Darius Smith, Azeez Ojulari in New York. There are a few guys that make a lot of sense for the Lions, and if you’re that close and that good, why aren’t you willing to part with a mid-round pick to get some kind of reinforcement to keep the edge to hold? fortress so Aidan Hutchinson can come back for the Super Bowl, if you make it that far?

Adam Schefter on the Detroit Lions possibly making a move at the NFL trade deadline (H/T Pride of Detroit)

Also read: Week 9 Fantasy Rankings

The NFL trade deadline is November 5 at 4:00 PM EDT, leaving the Lions front office with just a few days to make deals. While there haven’t been many Lions rumors in the days leading up to the Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers, that’s expected to change Monday morning.

As far as potential Lions trade targets go, Browns edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is generally viewed as the best player available before the NFL trade deadline. Detroit could also explore options such as New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young, New York Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari and Tennessee Titans edge rusher Harold Landry III.

Related: NFL Week 9 predictions, including Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers