Ahead of a season in which the team has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes should be exploring any and all options to improve his roster.
One NFL analyst, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, recently suggested the Lions trade for Pittsburgh Steelers star interior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who he believes would cost a 2025 third-round pick.
Here's some of what Ballentine wrote:
The Detroit Lions should be all in on getting to the Super Bowl after making the NFC Championship Game last season. That means taking some big swings when they present themselves.
Pursuing an accomplished veteran like Cam Heyward could be the move that puts them over the top. The Lions came up short against the 49ers in part because they gave up 34 points, 4.7 yards per carry and only sacked Brock Purdy twice.
Adding Heyward to the interior of a defensive line that already has Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader could be the difference in those big games.
For starters, the Lions don't even have a third-round pick in next year's draft, as they traded theirs to move up for offensive tackle Giovanni Manu. Putting that aside for now, there are more reasons to believe this trade won't happen.
Despite his desire for a new contract, Heyward is taking part in training camp and has made it clear he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Adding to that, general manager Omar Khan stated he envisions Heyward remaining in Pittsburgh beyond this season.
Further, the Lions already have their starting duo up the middle set, with 2023 breakout player Alim McNeill and free-agent acquisition D.J. Reader. Granted, Reader has injury concerns and is currently working his way back from a torn quadriceps injury suffered in 2023, but he's on track to get back soon.
None of this is to say that Heyward wouldn't provide a boost to the defense, even under the current circumstances. However, there are just too many roadblocks in the way for this proposed trade to become a reality.
