The Detroit Lions are excited to see star Aidan Hutchinson back on the field after his season-ending broken leg last year, but there are still questions about how much help the team can give their star edge rusher.
The Lions have struggled in finding a consistent counterpart to Hutchinson, falling flat in some of their free agency signings and draft picks aimed at boosting their pass rush. But the Lions could get another big chance next year when a promising young edge rusher is set to hit free agency.
Lions Could Find Help in 2026
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine broke down the biggest roster needs in 2026 for all 32 NFL teams, noting that the Lions still haven’t done enough to boost their edge rush. He suggested the team could make a run at Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye, who will be coming off his fifth-year option.
“If Detroit doesn’t have a secondary edge-rusher emerge opposite Hutchinson this season, they could be looking to the free-agent market. There aren’t a ton of productive options that don’t just fit the one-year mercenary role,” Ballentine wrote. “Kwity Paye is one of the exceptions. The Colt has 26.5 sacks through four seasons and is only 26 years old.”
Ballentine suggested another priority for the Lions will be re-signing defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who will be missing the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL.
“The injury is a major setback for the 27-year-old,” Ballentine wrote. “He registered 13 quarterback hits after combining for three in his first two seasons. A healthy Onwuzurike would have a big role this year. But he’ll become even more important next season when D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez are both set to hit free agency.”
Lions Could Use More Immediate Help
The Lions may not be able to wait until 2026 to address their pass rush. Ballentine noted that the Lions looked “human” when Hutchinson went down last October, with late addition Za’Darius Smith finishing second on the team with 4.0 sacks.
Smith was released earlier this offseason and remains a free agent, with some insiders reporting that the team has kept close tabs and could re-sign him. Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports reported in July that the Lions have been in touch with Smith throughout the offseason.
“Here’s where things are right now. We know that the Lions and Smith have maintained contact since the release went down,” Payton wrote. “The last time [Lions general manager Brad] Holmes says he spoke with Smith was before the league meetings in early April.”
Payton added that the Lions left the decision up to Smith, who remains unsigned as the regular season is just a few weeks away.
