By Moses Joshua 
With Detroit’s secondary stacked and needs elsewhere, moving a key veteran could be the unexpected—but strategic—play
Amik Robertson’s Name Surfaces as Trade Target Ahead of 2025 Season
The Detroit Lions have no intention of slowing down after consecutive playoff appearances—but tough choices may lie ahead. As the team eyes a Super Bowl push in 2025, the front office may be forced to make calculated moves, and one of them could involve a surprising name: cornerback Amik Robertson.
With a $9.25 million cap hit this season and a crowd forming in the Lions’ secondary, Robertson has emerged as a potential trade candidate, according to multiple analysts. Though he played well in 2024—especially in coverage—roster construction and financial flexibility could make him the odd man out.
In a recent Bleacher Report feature, NFL analyst Gary Davenport pointed out the rationale:
“Versatile young cornerbacks are coveted commodities, and with Robertson heading into a contract year and unlikely to be part of Detroit’s long-term plans, now could be the time to get some compensation for the sixth-year pro.”
Robertson, 26, posted another solid season before breaking his arm in the playoffs—a setback that reportedly won’t affect his availability for 2025. Still, his role in the team’s future remains unclear.
Detroit’s Crowded Cornerback Room
While Robertson has been dependable, Detroit’s moves this offseason hint at a shift in philosophy. The team signed Avonte Maddox, a proven nickel corner from the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles, and invested heavily in youth by drafting Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Terrion Arnold over the past two drafts.
As Cem Yolbulan of FanSided’s Detroit Jock City noted:
“Robertson’s path to playing time on the outside is near non-existent. At nickel, the Lions added Avonte Maddox… and Brian Branch also spends significant time at the slot.”
With starters locked in and depth aplenty, Robertson’s projected role in 2025 may be more rotational than impactful—a tough reality for a player in a contract year.
Moving Robertson Could Help Fill a Greater Need
Trading Robertson could also address the team’s most glaring need: an edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. While the Lions have solidified many areas of their roster, the edge opposite Hutchinson remains unsettled.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine called it out directly:
“The Lions’ biggest need heading into the season is an edge rusher.”
By moving Robertson while his trade value remains high, Detroit could potentially acquire a veteran edge or a high-upside developmental player who could fill that void opposite Hutchinson—especially critical with both coordinators departing this offseason and a new system settling in.
A Smart Move—or a Risky Gamble?
Trading away a reliable starter always comes with risk, especially in a league where depth can disappear in an instant. But Detroit has shown it’s playing the long game with short-term urgency. With a loaded cornerback room, cap space needed elsewhere, and a Super Bowl window still open, moving Robertson may be more of a calculated shift than a surprise.
In the end, it wouldn’t be about what Robertson can’t do—but rather, what the Lions need someone else to do more.