The Detroit Lions have never been considered the leading candidate in trade discussions involving Maxx Crosby. Still, the team has remained loosely connected to the situation since reports surfaced during the NFL Combine suggesting Detroit had at least some level of interest in a potential deal.

According to insiders such as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN and Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated, serious movement on any Crosby-related trade is not expected in the immediate future. They believe meaningful discussions would most likely pick up closer to the NFL Draft, during the preseason, or perhaps near the midseason trade deadline.

Meanwhile, a separate situation involving the Cleveland Browns, star pass rusher Myles Garrett, and recent changes to the language in his contract on March 25 could create an unexpected opportunity for teams hoping to add a premier defensive player in pursuit of a Super Bowl run. Garrett, a two-time and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, suddenly appears to be part of a developing storyline that could reshape the trade market.

Considering how close Detroit has come to reaching the Super Bowl in recent seasons—and its ongoing need for more pass-rush help—the Lions could realistically emerge as one of the teams monitoring the situation if Garrett becomes available.

Contract tweak hints Garrett may want out

Salary-cap analyst Jack Duffin of the Orange and Brown Report highlighted the contract adjustment in a social media post that shared information originally published by Over the Cap. The restructuring shifts the timing of certain payments and creates broader windows each offseason when a trade could be executed.

Duffin suggested that such a move strongly hints at Garrett seeking a departure from Cleveland.

According to his post, the contract change does not make much sense unless the goal is to facilitate a potential move later in the offseason.

The adjustment was first reported by Field Yates of ESPN, while analysts at Over the Cap provided a detailed explanation of what the change actually means.

Their analysis noted that Cleveland and Garrett agreed to push back the option deadlines in his deal from late March to early September. The shift delays when certain payments are triggered and effectively extends the period during which a trade could be executed each year. The move was described as unusual because Garrett already has a no-trade clause, making the purpose behind the adjustment somewhat unclear.

Duffin, however, interpreted the change differently. In his view, the restructuring suggests Garrett wants to leave Cleveland and the organization may be open to eventually granting that request.

Garrett previously asked for a trade last offseason, but the Browns addressed the situation by signing him to a four-year, $160 million contract extension. Since then, however, Cleveland struggled to a 5–12 record and still faces uncertainty at quarterback, relying heavily on second-year passer Shedeur Sanders as its primary hope at the position.

Despite the team’s difficulties, Garrett continues to perform at an elite level. The star defender, who will turn 31 in December, recorded a record-setting 23 sacks last season and led the league with 33 tackles for loss.

A player of his caliber could immediately elevate Detroit’s defense and strengthen the Lions’ chances of competing for a championship. The team already ranks No. 6 in the league in post–free agency preseason power rankings compiled by Pro Football Focus.

Acquiring Garrett would almost certainly require a significant package. A realistic price could approach three first-round draft picks. Still, Detroit might be able to enter the conversation by offering its No. 17 overall pick and No. 50 selection in this year’s draft, along with a first-round pick in 2027.