Coming off their bye week, the Detroit Lions thought they had a clear path to bolster their secondary ahead of the trade deadline. Instead, a rival swooped in and left them scrambling.
With the team still dealing with injuries at cornerback and looking to add depth, the Lions had reportedly identified Roger McCreary of the Tennessee Titans as a smart, cost-effective trade target. That option has now vanished. The Los Angeles Rams reportedly struck a deal, giving the Titans a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for McCreary plus a 2026 sixth-rounder.
McCreary’s pro-day numbers don’t jump off the page—but his acquisition provides Los Angeles a steady rotation piece at corner and leaves Detroit still searching. The Lions’ corners are under pressure: with two starters injured and depth showing holes, this move by a competitor hurts the Lions’ margin for error.
For Detroit, the takeaway is clear: when a rival identifies a need and acts decisively, the window to close the deal can be narrow. With playoff aspirations in view, the Lions now must pivot quickly—either find a new target or step up the internal players.
