By Moses Joshua 
Detroit Seeks Defensive Edge in Final Free Agency Wave as 2025 Season Nears
The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 NFL season with sky-high expectations and unfinished business. After finishing the previous regular season with a commanding 15-2 record, Detroit’s playoff run was abruptly cut short in a stunning loss to the surging Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Now, with training camp fast approaching, head coach Dan Campbell’s squad is hungry to rewrite their postseason story—and that could mean adding one more piece to the puzzle.
Detroit’s Defense Still Needs Reinforcements
While Detroit boasts one of the most promising defensive units in the NFC, there’s a clear need for more depth—especially along the defensive front. Last year, the Lions’ pass rush was decimated when standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury. Although the midseason acquisition of Za’Darius Smith helped temporarily stabilize the pass rush, his future with the team remains uncertain as he remains unsigned in free agency.
That uncertainty has opened the door for speculation, and one name in particular has emerged: Von Miller.
Von Miller a Logical Fit in Motor City
CBS Sports’ John Breech recently linked the Lions to Miller, the 8-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion who last played for the Buffalo Bills. “If you take one look at the Lions’ schedule, you’ll see why adding Miller might help,” Breech wrote. “During the 2025 season, Detroit will be facing Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott. If you’re facing a gauntlet like that, you need pass rushers.”
Indeed, Detroit’s 2025 schedule reads like a who’s who of elite NFL quarterbacks. And while Hutchinson is expected to return to form, his recovery from a broken tibia and fibula means the team cannot afford to gamble on his availability or durability early in the season.
Adding a veteran like Miller would allow the Lions to rotate their pass rushers more strategically. He wouldn’t be asked to carry the defense, but rather to serve as a specialist on passing downs—an area where his instincts and explosiveness can still shine.
Still a Spark Left in Miller’s Tank
Despite being past his physical prime, Miller remains a respected and productive presence on the field. In 2024, he appeared in 13 games for Buffalo, tallying 17 total tackles and 6 sacks. Those may not be eye-popping numbers by his historic standards, but they prove he can still generate pressure and make key plays when it matters.
A one-year, low-risk deal could benefit both parties. For Detroit, it would mean another capable weapon in the defensive arsenal—especially crucial for a team eyeing a Super Bowl run. For Miller, it would be a chance to join a legitimate contender and potentially close out his Hall of Fame career on a high note.
Bottom Line: The Lions are built to compete now. If Von Miller still wants to chase one more ring, Detroit might be the ideal place to do it.