Super Bowl 59 is in the record books. The Detroit Lions were so close to achieving their own Super Bowl dreams. But looking ahead to next year, the team can take a lesson from the Philadelphia Eagles victory.
How Eagles Defense Could Get The Lions To The Super Bowl
Jalen Hurts played a magnificent game, but make no mistake, the real MVP of Super Bowl 59 was the Eagles’ superlative defense. Never before has an NFL defensive line so thoroughly dominated a game as to eliminate any possibility of a comeback from the opposition.
A Dominant Eagles Defense Won The Game
Two years ago, in a tight 38-35 Super Bowl LVII victory, the Chiefs narrowly beat the Eagles. Sunday night’s game could have been just as close if it weren’t for the sensational Eagles’ defense. By the time Mahomes recovered to lead a 22-point offensive onslaught, it was already too late.
The Eagles’ iron-fisted defense had put the game out of reach. Philadelphia exposed a previously unseen vulnerability; shut down Mahomes and the Chiefs’ entire offense will collapse. By keeping him under intense pressure all night long, Mahomes succumbed to their smothering coverage. He was sacked six times and had three turnovers including a costly pick-six.
Although the Chiefs’ rushing defense did a great job containing the Offensive Player of the Year, Saquon Barkley, limiting him to 56 yards and no touchdowns, the rest of their game plan was flawed. Regardless, Super Bowl LIX demonstrated how a dominant defense can alter the course of the game. Had the Chiefs’ passing defense been as strong, Mahomes might have been the one hoisting the Lombardi trophy at the end of the night.
Why The Lions Weren’t Super Bowl Contenders and The Eagles Were
In reconciling their own lost playoff season, the Lions came up painfully short. Aaron Glenn’s injury-riddled, patchwork defense held together admirably during the regular season but couldn’t contain the Commanders’ brilliant rookie Jayden Daniels . On a night when the Lions’ needed their high-powered offense to compensate for a weakened defense, Jared Goff had a rare off-night that resulted in five turnovers.
Inexplicably, Ben Johnson’s playcalling relied on ill-advised trick plays rather than utilizing the strength of Jahmyr Gibbs’ proven rushing attack. But even if Goff was at his MVP best and Johnson’s offensive strategy had been above reproach, the result might have been the same. The sad truth is that with so many of their best defensive players, (Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Carlton Davis) out of the lineup, the Lions simply didn’t have the manpower to reach the Super Bowl this year.
Options For Strengthening The Lions Defense
Although Brad Holmes did a masterful job in rebuilding the defense over the past few years, despite his efforts, too many injuries led to the Lions’ early playoff exit. The Eagles’ defense was strong enough to win a Super Bowl. The Detroit defense wasn’t.
But next year could be different. When Holmes acquired Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns in November, the consensus was that he would be a great compliment to the defense alongside Hutchinson. Smith hit double digits in sacks twice before in his career and fell just short this year with nine. Despite turning 32 this year, Smith’s infectious energy and enthusiasm suggest he has a lot more football in him. It will be exciting to see him team up with Hutchinson.
In addition, Holmes and Dan Campbell have several options to reinforce the defense. Much has been said about the possibility of trading for a superstar talent like Myles Garrett . Throughout his career, Garrett has amassed a total of 352 tackles, 102.5 sacks, and 20 forced fumbles. Adding the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year to join a healthy Hutchinson is a tantalizing concept. While Garrett would be a tremendous asset to Kelvin Sheppard’s defense, would the price be too high?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed what it would cost to trade for Garrett. “People I’ve talked to about Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett’s trade market agree that his immense talent should garner at least two quality picks in return — either two first-rounders or a first-rounder and a high-level Day 2 pick package.”
Lions Offseason Priorities
Before Holmes can trade for a talent like Garrett, there is another priority. The Lions have several key players who are facing contract extensions. Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, and guard Kevin Zeitler are among those whose contracts will expire this year, leaving them vulnerable to free agency offers. Holmes and Sheila Ford Hamp have a history of immediately addressing contract extensions before the deadline and rewarding key personnel. In fact, unlike other NFL teams, since Holmes took over as EVP and general manager, there hasn’t been a single contract dispute or training camp holdout.
Mortgaging the farm for Garrett by draining the salary cap and depleting the Lions’ draft capital when you have proven talent you need to retain doesn’t make sense. Especially when other attractive outside talents could be acquired for less.
How The Eagles Defense Won the Super Bowl
Zack Baun , a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, had one of the Eagles’ two interceptions off Mahomes. During the 2024 season, Baun had 82 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception and five forced fumbles. During the Super Bowl, Baun’s teammate 6’5″ Josh Sweat led the team with 2.5 sacks on Mahomes. Sweat had eight sacks during the 2024 season along with 24 solo tackles. In 2022, Sweat registered a career-high 11 sacks in one season.
Milton Williams had two sacks on Mahomes including a huge strip sack. Williams is a versatile talent who can play multiple positions. At 6’3″ 290 lbs, not only is he a big presence, he’s fast for his size. In a 2021 Pro Bowl games event, Williams turned in the fastest 40-yard dash (4.63) and three-cone drill (6.96) by a defensive player weighing over 280 pounds over the last two decades.
How the Eagles’ Defense Helps the Lions
Each of these outstanding Eagles defensive players has a contract up for renewal in 2025. In addition, Eagles edge rusher and Detroit native Brandon Graham could become a free agent this year. Graham was a former University of Michigan teammate of Hutchinson.
Here’s where the Eagles might be in a position to aid the Lions’ Super Bowl quest next season. While the Eagles hope to re-sign these players, in all likelihood, they won’t be able to retain all of them. At least one of these players could become a free agent. It could be far more cost-effective for the Lions to pick up one of these talented Eagles defenders as a free-agent acquisition than trade for Garrett.
The Eagles were the number-one defense this year. But if the Lions were to acquire one of the stars of the Eagles Super Bowl-winning team can you imagine how an improved Lions defense coupled with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense would look for next year?
Main Image: James Lang – USA Today Sports
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