The Detroit Lions have been mentioned as one of the top destinations for Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett, who has requested permission to explore a trade and is expected to draw considerable interest.

However, Lions general manager Brad Holmes cautioned that acquiring the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year won’t be straightforward — and may not even be part of their strategy.

At the NFL scouting combine, Holmes told reporters that the team wants to find a complementary edge rusher to pair with star Aidan Hutchinson, but he acknowledged the high cost of adding another star, as other teams are unlikely to make it easy for the Lions to complete their Super Bowl puzzle.

Brad Holmes Seeks More Pass Rush Assistance

The Lions faced challenges this season after Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury in October. No other player managed to surpass the 7.5 sacks Hutchinson had recorded up to that point, and Holmes is acutely aware that the team needs another impactful player on the edge.

However, Holmes suggested that no single acquisition will fully address the gap, stating that the team must continue building depth at the position.

“We’re not just looking for one top-tier rusher,” Holmes explained. “We already have a top-tier rusher. Do we want another one? Yes, but ideally, we’d like to have three or four elite rushers. That’s not always feasible, though. It’s definitely something we’re focusing on. I can’t recall a time when pass-rusher hasn’t been part of our discussions. It won’t be overlooked.”

Although Holmes didn’t mention Garrett by name, SI.com’s John Maakaron speculated that the Lions general manager was referring to the star pass rusher. Maakaron also noted that the Browns seem to be stepping back from a potential trade, with Browns GM Andrew Berry recently saying they want to retain Garrett.

Lions Continue to Strengthen Their Roster

The Lions have methodically built a Super Bowl contender, with Holmes overseeing a complete defensive rebuild and acquiring offensive playmakers to support quarterback Jared Goff.

Holmes emphasized that the team will stick to this strategy, not overpaying for any one player.

“I’m not sure one player is the missing piece,” Holmes said. “I’ve been clear about that, because that one player has to fit alongside everything else. And if that player doesn’t get injured, what happens if you face the attrition we did this past season? Would that one player have made enough of a difference given all the injuries? You need to consider all aspects. Pass rush will always be a priority, but it’s tough to land those guys.”