Losing Aidan Hutchinson is a huge blow for the Detroit Lions defense. However, Lions head coach Dan Campbell remains upbeat about his defensive unit and their ability to overcome the loss of the Defensive Player of the Year front-runner after Week 6.
In his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket with Costa and Jensen, Campbell talked about what players need to step up. When asked about replacing Hutchinson, Campbell turned immediately to needing more from defensive tackle Alim McNeill and the rest of the current Lions.
“That production has got to go somewhere for us to stay as potent as we’ve been,” Campbell said. “So that means that Mac (McNeill), he’s going to have to play at a consistently high level. I thought he played outstanding the other day (in Dallas) and he’s going to do it again.”
The Lions quickly put their money where Campbell’s mouth was, agreeing to a 4-year extension with McNeill worth $55 million guaranteed. That’s a crystal clear indicator of the Lions’ expectations for the defensive tackle.
Campbell continued, citing current Lions Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, DJ Reader, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu and Al-Quadin Muhammad (the last three are currently on the practice squad) as players who will be expected to “step up” and do more in their own ways. He then mentioned newcomer Cam Gill and holdover James Houston as potential options.
“It’s going to take everybody on that defense to elevate a little bit,” Campbell stated. “Do a little bit more and we’ll be just fine.”
Later in the interview, Campbell was asked about what type of player from outside the organization the Lions might be looking for to help replace Hutchinson’s production.
“Honestly, I think if anything, you’re looking for a role player,” Campbell responded. “Somebody that can set an edge, that can transition into rush. It doesn’t have to be somebody — as you guys know, elite rushers and edge setters don’t just fall off trees. And if they do, you’re going to have to sell the farm to get them.
But I do think there could be some guys out there that will fit into what we’re doing defensively. They can serve a role, they can help.”
It’s difficult to interpret that answer as anything other than a clear refutation of aspirations for the likes of Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett–neither of whom is even remotely available for trade at this point.
