Biggest 2024 Offseason Regret for the Detroit Lions Revealed
A missed opportunity leaves the Lions exposed on defense.
The Detroit Lions entered the 2024 offseason with high expectations and clear defensive priorities. Bolstering their secondary and reinforcing the edge rush were top objectives. While they addressed both areas early, their decision-making at edge rusher has turned into the most glaring regret of the year.
Marcus Davenport Gamble Backfires
The Lions signed Marcus Davenport during free agency, hoping he could complement Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive front. However, Davenport’s history of injuries raised questions from the start. Those concerns materialized when a fluke play in Week 3, involving a hit from Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson, sidelined Davenport for the season with an elbow/triceps injury.
The Lions’ gamble on Davenport’s resurgence fell flat, leaving a significant void in the pass rush. This issue was compounded by the loss of Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his leg in Week 6. By Week 13, Detroit’s defensive front was running thin, with third-year rusher Josh Paschal also battling injuries.
The Hutchinson Factor
Before his season-ending injury, Hutchinson was having an outstanding campaign. Despite missing several weeks, he remained in the top 10 for quarterback pressures among edge rushers through Week 13, according to Pro Football Focus. Hutchinson was responsible for 25% of the Lions’ sacks this season (7.5 out of 30), underscoring his value to the defense. No other player on the roster has managed even four sacks, illustrating the team’s reliance on him.
Analysis: What Went Wrong
In hindsight, the Lions’ failure to secure additional depth at edge rusher has proven costly. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus pointed out the oversight, noting that relying on Davenport alone was risky given his history. Locker highlighted alternatives the Lions could have pursued, such as drafting a player like Jonah Elliss or signing proven veterans like Calais Campbell or Chase Young.
Locker observed:
> “The Lions could never have foreseen a season-ending injury to Aidan Hutchinson. At the same time, the team’s depth at edge rusher was already thin: Detroit was banking on Marcus Davenport, who had played 500-plus snaps just once in his career, to have a resurgent year.”
Even after adding veteran Za’Darius Smith later in the season, the Lions’ defensive front struggled to fill the gap left by Davenport and Hutchinson.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The Lions’ struggles at edge rusher this season emphasize the importance of offseason decisions. While the team has managed some strong performances, including on Thanksgiving Day, the lack of depth has been exposed repeatedly.
As the Lions approach the 2025 offseason, addressing the edge rusher position will once again be a priority. Learning from this year’s missteps, Detroit may focus on securing both experienced players and young talent to ensure they’re not caught short again.
In a season full of promise, the Lions’ inability to fully solidify their pass rush stands out as a critical oversight. It’s a lesson they can’t afford to ignore as they aim to build a roster capable of sustained success.
