Writer Reveals Detroit Lions ‘Dream’ Offseason Trade Scenario — and more

If the Detroit Lions are serious about maximizing their Super Bowl window, upgrading the pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson remains one of the final boxes to check. According to Moe Morton of Bleacher Report, there’s one offseason trade scenario that stands out above the rest—a bold move to acquire New York Jets EDGE Jermaine Johnson.

It’s the kind of swing that feels aggressive, calculated, and very on-brand for Brad Holmes if the price is right.

Why Jermaine Johnson Could Be Available

The Jets’ roster situation has quietly shifted in a major way. Before the 2025 trade deadline, New York already moved cornerstone pieces Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, signaling a willingness to reset parts of the defense. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, the Jets previously turned down trade offers that included a second-round pick for Johnson—but circumstances change quickly in the NFL.

Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, carrying a $13.4 million cap hit, and New York is now staring at a draft class loaded with pass rushers. That combination alone makes trade conversations inevitable.

The wildcard? Health and recent production.

The Injury Factor—and Why It Helps Detroit

Johnson’s 2024 season was derailed by a torn Achilles, causing him to miss 15 games. Last season, he appeared in 14 contests but posted modest numbers: three sacks, 13 pressures, and five tackles for loss. Those stats don’t jump off the page—but context matters.

This is still the same Jermaine Johnson who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023, flashing the explosiveness, length, and power that made him a first-round pick. For Detroit, the dip in production could actually lower the acquisition cost, turning Johnson into a classic buy-low candidate with high upside.

Why the Lions Make Sense as a Trade Partner

From a roster-construction standpoint, the fit is almost too clean:

• Aidan Hutchinson commands constant attention on one edge
• Detroit needs a legitimate threat on the opposite side
• Johnson thrives when he’s not the focal point of protection schemes

Pairing Johnson with Hutchinson would force offenses into impossible choices—slide protection one way and get burned the other, or leave someone one-on-one and hope for the best.

It’s also a short-term financial commitment. Detroit wouldn’t be locking itself into a long, risky contract immediately. Instead, the Lions could evaluate Johnson for a season and decide whether an extension makes sense.

The Risk—and the Reward

There’s no denying the risk. Achilles injuries are serious, and Johnson’s recent production doesn’t scream “sure thing.” But that’s exactly why this scenario qualifies as a “dream” trade rather than a guaranteed slam dunk.

If Johnson returns to anything close to his Pro Bowl form, Detroit suddenly has one of the most dangerous edge duos in football—without spending a premium draft pick or committing long-term money up front.

In a Super Bowl window, those are the bets contenders make.

Final Thoughts

Brad Holmes has never been afraid to zig when the league zags. Trading for Jermaine Johnson wouldn’t be flashy for the sake of headlines—it would be a calculated move rooted in value, timing, and roster fit.

If the Jets are truly open for business, and if the price reflects the injury risk, this is exactly the kind of offseason swing that could push the Lions from contender to favorite.

The post Writer Reveals Detroit Lions ‘Dream’ Offseason Trade Scenario appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Nyla Harris scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points and five assists and No. 22 North Carolina took down Virginia Tech 66-63 in overtime on Thursday night.

Aarnisalo, Harris, and Lanie Grant combined for all nine overtime points for the Tar Heels (22-6, 12-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who bounced back from a 72-68 loss at then-No. 11 Duke on Sunday.

Grant made two clutch free throws with 25 seconds remaining in overtime to make it a three-point margin, and Virginia Tech missed three 3-pointers in the final seven seconds.

The game featured 11 lead changes and five ties, with neither team leading by more than nine points. Virginia Tech led 28-21 at the half.

Both teams struggled shooting, with UNC managing 37% from the floor and Virginia Tech shooting 34%.

Indya Nivar added 10 points and four steals for Carolina, and Nyla Brooks hauled in eight rebounds.

For the Hokies (20-8, 10-6), Carys Baker and Samyha Suffren each tallied 15 points. Kilah Freelon led with 10 rebounds and three blocks, and Baker grabbed eight rebounds of her own. Mackenzie Nelson dished four assists.

Up next

Both teams resume play on Sunday, as No. 22 North Carolina hosts Pitt and Virginia Tech welcomes Georgia Tech.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

How will the Los Angeles Rams retool in order to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026?

Let’s start a free agent shopping list on the offensive side of the ball. For now, we can ignore players who would require a trade of could be released from their teams and only focus on free agents.

These are the individuals I would be excited about the Rams signing on the open market followed by their contract projections from The Athletic:

Quarterback

Mitch Trubisky, Bills

One year, $8M

Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent and could leave the Rams. Hopefully LA never has to turn to their backup; however, you could do much worse than Trubisky. This would give the Rams an upgrade from a mobility standpoint and the price tag is overall similar.

Is this a signing that gets the Rams over the hump? Probably not. It’s still smart money with a starting quarterback in his late 30’s.

Running back

None

LA has added talent to this position with Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter in back-to-back draft classes. It’s a talented stable of backs and adding to the room could easily make it overly crowded.

Receiver

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Four years, $61M

Puka Nacua is one of the NFL’s best receivers. Davante Adams is still lethal in the red zone.

The Rams need a dependable pass catcher that can contribute between the 20-yard lines and move the chains on third down. Doubs excels in both areas and comes from a similar offensive system. It’s an easy match.

$15M annually sounds like a lot but that is only $5M more than the Rams paid Tutu Atwell. It’s barely starting receiver money in free agency and maybe even a bargain for a player of Doubs’ caliber.

Tight end

Charlie Kolar, Ravens

Three years, $21M

Is this a steep price tag when the Rams already have Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson on the roster? Probably.

But Kolar has played behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in Baltimore and hasn’t been asked to do much other than block—and this is an area he has excelled. That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Los Angeles, and Kolar could have receiving abilities that the Ravens never tapped into.

If the Rams are going to run 13 personnel often again in 2026, they are still saving money by “over investing” in tight ends compared to what receivers make. The more you think about it, the more sense it makes.

Tackle

None

The Rams just re-signed David Quessenberry as a depth piece. Do they need a backup left tackle too? Probably, but the answer could be a developmental player that is already on the roster or could be addressed through the draft. It could be smart to pinch pennies here.

Interior offensive line

Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets

One year, $3M

Vera-Tucker was on a trajectory to become one of the league’s better guards before he tore his triceps ahead of the 2025 season. The Rams might not have a place to put him in the starting line up immediately. If they can pitch a rehabilitation stint and developmental year, this is a premium player that could contribute in a pinch. Should he play well in replacement of Steve Avila or Kevin Dotson, the Rams could recover a compensatory pick upon his departure.