Lions Eye Rising Seahawks Star to Supercharge Pass Rush
The Detroit Lions are on a mission: get over the hump and finally bring a Super Bowl to the Motor City. But as it stands going into 2025, there’s one big missing piece — they need someone who can consistently bring the heat opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Now, Hutchinson has been a wrecking ball for the Lions’ defense. The guy’s already racked up nearly 30 sacks in just 39 games. But when teams double him, or when he’s not on the field, Detroit’s pass rush basically disappears. That’s a problem.
Enter: Boye Mafe, the Seattle Seahawks’ 26-year-old edge rusher who might be just what the Lions are looking for.
According to Bleacher Report, Mafe is one of Seattle’s top trade chips — and while they could hang onto him, there’s no guarantee they will. With a new coaching staff in town and no deep loyalty to Mafe, Seattle might be willing to move him if the offer’s right.
Why Mafe? Why Now?
Mafe was taken early in the second round of the 2022 draft, and he’s steadily improved every season. His rookie year was solid. His second year? Even better — he led the Seahawks in sacks (9.0) and even set a franchise record by getting at least one sack in seven straight games. That’s not easy to do.
Last season, he cooled off a bit but still put up decent numbers: 6 sacks, 12 QB hits, and strong play against the run. He’s not a one-trick pony — he’s a legit two-way player. Plus, he’s still on a cheap rookie deal, which makes him even more attractive for a team like Detroit that wants to win now without blowing up the budget.
The Trade Pitch
Here’s the deal that could make it happen:
* Detroit gets: Boye Mafe (Edge Rusher)
* Seattle gets: A 2026 second-round pick + a conditional 2026 fifth-rounder (which becomes a fourth if Mafe hits 10 sacks in 2025)
It’s a classic low-risk, high-reward scenario. If Mafe keeps trending up, Detroit ends up with a young, affordable pass-rushing duo that could wreak havoc all season long. If not, they didn’t break the bank to get him.
Seattle might hesitate — Mafe’s young, productive, and still developing. But with other edge rushers like DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu already on the roster, the Seahawks could decide he’s expendable.
Either way, if you’re Lions GM Brad Holmes, you’ve got to at least make the call. Championship teams take chances.
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