The Detroit Lions have found their answer.
Ever since Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury, Detroit has been connected with daily trade rumors.
Za’Darius Smith changed teams and NFL fortunes with a big trade[/caption]
With the NFL’s trade deadline set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, one of the league’s best teams put everyone else on notice.
The Lions pulled off a trade for Za’Darius Smith, agreeing to a deal with Cleveland.
Fans immediately approved of the move, which should strengthen what is already the sixth-ranked scoring defense in the NFL.
Smith, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler with 65 career sacks and 321 combined tackles.
The fourth-round draft pick started his NFL journey with Baltimore, then bounced from Green Bay to Minnesota before joining the Browns last season.
“Eminem‘s buying his ticket to New Orleans right now,” one fan tweeted.
“Oh Detroit is serious serious this year,” a second fan posted.
“The Lions’ defense should be undeniable at this point!” a third fan wrote.
“Detroit stepping it up big time,” a fourth fan said.
Aidan Hutchinson could return for the Super Bowl but Detroit now has an answer[/caption]
Hutchinson was the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year when he went down in Week 6 with a left tibia injury.
Detroit won that game 47-9 by blowing out the Dallas Cowboys.
The Lions are now 7-1 and a leading Super Bowl contender.
But Hutchinson was a critical piece of Detroit’s effort to reach the big game in New Orleans, setting up the eventual midseason trade for Smith.
“Lions SB faves for me as of now,” a fan tweeted.
“Lions keep stacking,” a second fan posted. “They trying to go all the way.”
“If you thought they were a SB contender before … ” a third fan said.
Detroit also received a 2026 seventh-round draft pick in the deal.
Cleveland gave up Smith for future fifth- and sixth-round picks.
Kansas City is the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL, with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs aiming for a historic three-peat.
Detroit is second to the Chiefs in Super Bowl betting odds.
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