By Sunday 
Philadelphia Strikes Again
The Philadelphia Eagles just pulled off their third trade of the week — and this one hits close to home for Detroit Lions fans. As if the football gods wanted to twist the knife a little deeper, Philly went out and grabbed Jaelan Phillips, the pass rusher many in Detroit had circled as a dream pickup before the trade deadline.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles sent their 2026 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Phillips, adding yet another star to an already stacked defensive front. For a team already looking like a Super Bowl favorite, it’s the kind of aggressive, win-now move that Detroit fans were hoping their own front office would make.
Detroit’s Missed Moment
The Lions, on the other hand, have been noticeably quiet. General Manager Brad Holmes reportedly explored trade options but wasn’t willing to outbid the Eagles’ offer. Detroit doesn’t even have its 2026 third-round pick anymore — they traded it to the Jaguars to move up for Isaac TeSlaa — which meant a competitive offer might have required a 2027 third-rounder or even a second-round pick.
From a business standpoint, that caution makes sense. Phillips is on an expiring contract and would’ve been a rental unless Detroit found a way to extend him. But in football terms? This was the moment to go for it. Phillips has been healthy, explosive, and productive — logging three sacks in his last five games — and his arrival could’ve been the push that made Detroit’s defense truly playoff-ready.
Fans’ Frustration Boiling Over
It’s not that Lions fans expect Holmes to trade away the future every time the phone rings. But after watching the Eagles pull off deal after deal — Michael Carter II, Jaire Alexander, and now Jaelan Phillips — Detroit’s inactivity feels deflating. This was the kind of move that signals we’re all in.
Instead, the Lions wake up Monday watching another NFC rival get stronger while their own pass rush remains paper-thin behind Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
And fans are letting it be known. From Reddit threads to X (formerly Twitter), the mood is summed up perfectly in one word: frustration.
What Now for Detroit?
All hope isn’t lost. There are still some intriguing names floating around before the deadline — Bradley Chubb, Matt Judon, Jermaine Johnson, and Carl Granderson among them. Any of those additions could give Detroit the much-needed boost on the edge.
But one thing is clear: the Eagles just made a bold statement. And unless the Lions respond, it’ll be hard not to wonder if Monday’s inaction might come back to haunt them in January.