The Detroit Lions are looking to revamp their struggling secondary once again after the departure of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. According to a report by Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, the Lions could set their sights on Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons in an effort to bolster their defense.
Gagnon suggests that a trade for Simmons could be the missing piece that propels the Lions to the Super Bowl in 2024. While it may not be the most glamorous move, Gagnon believes that Simmons’ skill set aligns perfectly with Detroit’s needs. Additionally, the trade would provide much-needed salary cap relief for the Broncos.
At 30 years old, Simmons is approaching the later stages of his career. Moving him to a contender like the Lions would allow the Broncos to maximize their return on investment. While Gagnon does not specify the exact price the Lions would have to pay for Simmons, Detroit’s seven draft picks this year could be valuable assets in negotiations.
The Lions had high hopes for Gardner-Johnson when they signed him last offseason, but injuries and inconsistent play hindered his impact. His season was cut short due to a pectoral injury, and he struggled upon his return to the roster. In the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Gardner-Johnson had three missed tackles and a costly penalty.
The Lions are eager to address their defensive shortcomings and believe that a trade for Simmons could be the solution. With the Super Bowl within reach, Detroit is willing to part with some draft picks to fill this crucial need. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see if the Lions make a move for the talented Broncos safety.
In a shocking revelation, Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press has unveiled the Detroit Lions’ potential plan to strengthen their secondary. According to Ramsey, the Lions are eyeing cornerback Chidobe Awuzie as a potential target in free agency. With the price for top cornerbacks like Jaylon Johnson expected to be out of the Lions’ budget, Awuzie could be the perfect fit for their defensive needs.
Awuzie, who has been a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals since 2021, has proven his worth on the field. His impressive performance even contributed to the Bengals’ journey to the Super Bowl. Previously earning a hefty $7.25 million per season, Awuzie’s availability in the market could be attributed to the Bengals’ recent focus on drafting cornerbacks. This means that the Lions might have the opportunity to acquire Awuzie at a reasonable rate, potentially similar to his previous contract.
With the Lions’ secondary in dire need of reinforcement, the addition of Awuzie could be a game-changer. As the Lions gear up for the upcoming season, their fans eagerly await the team’s next move in the cornerback market. Will Awuzie don the Lions’ colors and bring his exceptional skills to the Motor City? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.