Detroit Lions’ edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a rising star, but the team struggled to create a consistent pass rush outside of him last season.
The Lions are a major contender to sign Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones, who is set to enter free agency this offseason. Jones returned to the Chiefs on a one-year agreement last season after signing a $80-million contract in 2020, and he helped them win their second Super Bowl title in a row.
According to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, Jones might join the Detroit Lions next season if the team matches his high asking price.
Chris Jones the Final Piece in Detroit
Kay highlighted that the Lions fell just short of making the Super Bowl after blowing a 17-point lead against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. The game showed the team’s defensive flaws, which Kay believes “superstar” Jones can help rectify.
“While his services will be pricy, there is no question that Jones would have a tremendous impact on Detroit’s ability to both get after opposing quarterbacks and shut down the run,” Kay stated in an email. “The five-time Pro Bowler would make an especially excellent partner for 2022’s No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, who has started his career red-hot with 21 sacks over his first two seasons.”
Last offseason, the Lions hoped to make significant upgrades to their secondary, signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley before both suffered long-term injuries. Kay remarked that the Lions made progress in improving their defense, but they still finished in the lowest half of the league in both total and scoring defense.
Adding Jones would significantly improve their pass rush, but it would also be too pricey, Kay noted.
Chris Jones Headed to Massive Deal
While the Lions are slated to have $48 million in cap space, Jones would require a significant investment. Jones, a five-time Pro Bowler, is expected to sign a four-year contract worth $140 million with at least $100 million in guaranteed money, according to Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News.
The Lions would also have to persuade Jones to leave the Chiefs, who are still considered a strong contender for him. The 29-year-old is coming off one of his greatest seasons, recording 10.5 sacks and 30 total tackles in 16 games and was named first-team All-Pro for the second time in his career.
While the Lions may be in a position to make a substantial investment, general manager Brad Holmes has emphasized that the team would not go all-in for a chance at the Super Bowl.
“I don’t want anybody to think that this was a one-shot, Cinderella, magical journey that just happened,” Holmes said at the team’s season-ending press conference, according to The Associated Press. “No, that is real. This is exactly what was intended to happen.
“I realize that based on history and what has happened in the past, I understand that when you have a season like this, it’s easy to feel like this was a one-time, magical, lucky, adorable narrative, which I’m sick of hearing. There was none of that.
