Last week, Detroit Lions star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson confirmed that he is fully healthy and ready for OTAs. Hutchinson being ready for OTAs is exactly the news Lions fans needed to hear after his horrifying leg injury last season. His return will also massively help the Lions’ defensive line affect opposing quarterbacks. That said, Detroit just missed a huge opportunity to add help opposite of Hutchinson via trade.

According to Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles reached an agreement with the San Francisco 49ers to send edge rusher Bryce Huff to San Francisco for a mid-round pick. Huff joining San Francisco is a double gut punch to Lions fans because of the two franchises’ newfound rivalry and the fact that Detroit needed another pass rusher.

Lions Miss Chance to Add Perfect Aidan Hutchinson Counterpart via Trade

During the 2024 offseason, Philadelphia signed Huff to a three-year deal worth $51.1 million. After a breakout season with the New York Jets, where he recorded 29 tackles, 10 TFLs, 10 sacks, 67 QB pressures, 12 QB hits, and 45 QB hurries, that deal made sense. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old was unable to live up to that contract in his first year with the Eagles.

In 2024, Huff recorded 13 tackles, 20 QB pressures, 17 QB hurries, three TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and one QB hit. Though he was meant to be a big addition, he didn’t even have good production for a rotation edge. His underperformance, along with his choice not to show up for the start of Eagles’ OTAs, led to the trade.

With that in mind, the Lions still missed a huge opportunity. Even though Huff was still owed $34 million by Philadelphia, San Francisco found a way to restructure the deal. Detroit should have been on the phones negotiating with the Eagles to get Hutchinson help.

While Huff didn’t have a great 2024 season, pairing him up with Hutchinson could have helped him return to his 2023 form. Nevertheless, a main reason Huff likely went to San Francisco was to reunite with defensive coordinator Robert Salah, which is the coach who aided his development while in New York.

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