The Detroit Lions have been aggressive in trying to strengthen their pass rush over the past few seasons, but it looks like they may have avoided a costly misstep with one of the most talked-about free agents this year.

Detroit was widely viewed as a strong candidate to land veteran edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who instead signed with the Carolina Panthers on a lucrative deal that has since drawn criticism. Some analysts believe the price tag may not match his recent production or durability.

According to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, Phillips’ four-year, $120 million contract ranks among the biggest overpays of the offseason. While acknowledging his talent and potential, Davenport pointed out concerns about consistency and injuries. Phillips recorded 35 pressures in 2025, placing him among the league’s more productive defenders, but his sack numbers have not matched that impact in recent years. His best season—8.5 sacks—came during his rookie campaign in 2021. Since then, injuries, including a torn Achilles and ACL in back-to-back seasons, have limited his availability and production.

Despite flashes of ability, Davenport questioned whether committing $30 million annually to a player with that level of uncertainty is a wise investment.

Phillips had been on Detroit’s radar for some time. Back around last season’s trade deadline, Marlowe Alter highlighted him as a possible replacement for the injured Marcus Davenport. Drafted 18th overall by Miami in 2021, Phillips showed early promise with 15.5 sacks across his first two seasons. However, injuries derailed his momentum, limiting him to just a handful of games in subsequent years.

Even though they missed out on Phillips, the Lions still have options to improve their defensive front. At one point, they were also linked to star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, though he ultimately remained with the Las Vegas Raiders after trade discussions fell through. With that door likely closed for now, Detroit may shift its focus toward the NFL Draft for help off the edge.

Free agency could still provide reinforcements as well. Kristopher Knox suggested that veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa could be an ideal addition. Coming off a solid season with the Buffalo Bills, Bosa still shows the ability to disrupt offenses, finishing with five sacks, 24 quarterback pressures, and nine tackles for loss.

Although Bosa is entering his early 30s, Knox believes he remains a valuable contributor, especially for a team with playoff aspirations. He noted that Detroit, which already added D. J. Wonnum, could benefit from adding another proven edge presence to complement Aidan Hutchinson and deepen its pass-rushing rotation.