The Detroit Lions must upgrade their pass rush before the 2025 season. Though Aidan Hutchinson will return to the lineup this year after playing just five games in 2024 due to a leg injury, the team doesn’t have another starting-caliber edge rusher to pair with the 2022 No.2 overall pick.
The Lions could search the trade market to fill the need, but NFL Rumors’ Logan Ulrich urges general manager Brad Holmes to sign Buffalo Bills free-agent edge rusher Von Miller.
Miller isn’t the same player he was then and wouldn’t be a final solution for the Lions at pass rusher, but he would make them better and give them a true complement to put across from Hutchinson on big-money downs.
Miller hasn’t played more than 13 games in a season since 2021 and is past his prime. However, the eight-time Pro Bowler did post six sacks and 32 quarterback pressures in a rotational role with the Bills last year and still has a little bit of juice left. The three-time All-Pro was released by Buffalo in March.
He may not be an every-down player anymore, but Miller would give Detroit’s pass rush a boost and take some pressure off Hutchinson. The 36-year-old’s veteran presence and championship experience would also be incredibly beneficial for a Lions’ squad that came up short in the postseason in 2024.
Additionally, Miller should be pretty cheap to sign in free agency, as he is getting older and hasn’t been very productive over the last few seasons. Detroit still has $42 million in cap space after the draft, so they have plenty of money to make this move.
The Lions could look to trade for Trey Hendrickson or bring back Za’Darius Smith to address the pass rush. However, signing Miller to a team-friendly deal is also a potential avenue Detroit could go. The Super Bowl 50 MVP still commands respect from opposing offenses and could provide adequate production as a complementary pass rusher in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Aidan Hutchinson gives injury update that should put Lions fans’ concerns to bed
Lions All-Pro Penei Sewell’s offseason improvement should scare rest of NFL
D.J. Reed ready to make big commitment if Lions win first Super Bowl
Za’Darius Smith predicted to end free agency stint by signing with AFC team, not Lions
