The Detroit Lions made a bold move during the 2025 NFL Draft, trading up from the 102nd to the 70th pick to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. While the pick has generated mixed reactions, with some fans criticizing the trade for being a reach and costing valuable draft capital, it almost didn’t happen at all.
According to Michael Silver of The Athletic, the Jaguars were initially considering another trade offer from the Rams, who had proposed a future second-round pick for the 70th selection. However, the Jaguars ultimately chose the Lions’ deal. The situation became tense, though, as the trade nearly fell apart due to a communication breakdown between the teams and the NFL.
With the clock ticking down, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made a call to ensure the deal would go through. “Hey, are we gonna be able to make this deal, or what?” Holmes asked, as the trade was still not finalized with just 90 seconds left. Fortunately, the deal was completed in time, and the Lions were able to select TeSlaa just moments before the deadline.
Had the trade not gone through, Detroit’s 2025 draft class could have looked very different. Fans will now be watching closely to see how TeSlaa fits into the Lions’ plans moving forward.
Lions’ Bold Isaac TeSlaa Trade Almost Didn’t Happen: Behind the Scenes
