The Detroit Lions might not be buyers or sellers at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. They might stand pat.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday he does not expect the team to be active in the trade market this week given the discussions they’ve had so far.
“I don’t see anything right now that I could say has got any legs,” Campbell said.
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The Lions, 0-8, are the only winless team in the NFL and could look to supplement their rebuild by trading veterans who do not fit into their long-term plans for draft picks.
NFL Network reported last week the Lions also might be buyers at the trade deadline, despite their record, and were shopping for help at their thinnest position, wide receiver.
The Lions have made trades at or around the deadline each of the past three seasons, all under the former regime. In 2018, then-general manager Bob Quinn traded for Damon Harrison and away Golden Tate. In 2019, he sent Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks for a draft pick. And last year, he acquired pass rusher Everson Griffen.
New Lions general manager Brad Holmes has made three trades involving players in his 10 months on the job.
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He traded Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and three draft picks in January, added Michael Brockers in a separate deal with the Rams for a 2023 draft choice, and sent fifth- and seventh-round picks to the Denver Broncos for receiver Trinity Benson and a future sixth-round choice.
The Lions have few appealing assets on their roster they seem willing to move, though they do have a surplus of depth on their defensive line and two capable running backs in D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
Asked how active the Lions will be trying to create a deal Tuesday, Campbell said, “We’re open to listening to anything.”
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“But there again, that’s where Brad goes to work, does what he does and if it’s something significant he’ll bring it to me,” Campbell said. “So I’m letting him deal with that right now.”
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.