By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s front office could make a subtle yet significant move to secure its offensive future before the trade deadline.
Brad Holmes Keeps His Eyes on the Trenches
As the November 4 trade deadline looms, much of the conversation surrounding the Detroit Lions has revolved around splashy upgrades — whether that’s adding an edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson or reinforcing a secondary still searching for consistency. Yet beneath those headlines lies a quieter concern — one general manager Brad Holmes may be far too wise to overlook.
Holmes has long emphasized the value of building from the inside out, and his past words continue to echo that philosophy.
“I just think you’ve got to keep the whole garden watered at all points,” Holmes said during his end-of-season press conference last January. “And so, it’s going to be the whole unit, because I mean, that is – that’s the engine for us.”
True to his word, Detroit has invested heavily in the offensive line over the past two drafts. Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany have stepped in as the team’s new starting guards, while Penei Sewell remains the rock at right tackle. Still, uncertainty looms at two key spots — center, following Frank Ragnow’s retirement, and left tackle, where veteran Taylor Decker continues to battle through a shoulder injury that has already cost him time this season.
The Decker Dilemma and a Potential Fix
Decker’s toughness has never been in question — he’s one of those players who “doesn’t have to practice in order to play” — but with his shoulder still lingering, the Lions face a delicate balance between durability and depth. The current rotation of Giovanni Manu and Dan Skipper has been serviceable at best, and Detroit can ill afford any setbacks when it comes to protecting Jared Goff as the postseason push intensifies.
That’s where a new trade proposal comes into play. Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated included the Lions in his list of 12 “dream” deadline deals, with a suggestion that could shore up the offensive line both short-term and long-term:
“Saints OT Trevor Penning to the Lions”
“Price: 2026 fourth-round pick”
Orr argued that Penning, a former first-round pick, could “help the Lions ease the burden of a banged-up Taylor Decker and continue the team’s push to replenish the lifeblood of their team.”
Trevor Penning: A Risk Worth Taking?
Trevor Penning’s career with the New Orleans Saints hasn’t followed the trajectory expected of a first-round selection. A foot injury derailed his rookie season, and while he’s shown flashes of potential — starting 17 games at right tackle in 2024 — consistency has been elusive. This year, he’s been shuffled inside to left guard, starting five games while battling yet another injury.
Still, context matters. The Saints’ offensive line has struggled to find cohesion, and Penning has spent much of his young career surrounded by instability. In Detroit, the environment would be drastically different. Under offensive line coach Hank Fraley, and alongside veterans like Sewell, Decker, and Graham Glasgow, Penning could rediscover the confidence and edge that made him a first-round talent.
Given his positional flexibility — and the Saints’ willingness to move him — Detroit might even be able to strike a deal for less than the proposed fourth-round pick.
Future-Proofing the Lions’ Greatest Strength
Holmes’ “keep the garden watered” mantra wasn’t just a metaphor — it was a strategic blueprint. The offensive line has been the heart of Detroit’s resurgence under Dan Campbell, but sustaining that dominance means preparing for the next phase. With Ragnow retired and Decker aging, the time to plan for succession is now.
A trade for Penning wouldn’t be flashy, but it would be quietly brilliant — the kind of move that reinforces Detroit’s foundation while the rest of the league chases headlines.
In a season where the Lions have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, Holmes might not need a blockbuster trade to make an impact. Sometimes, the smartest moves are the ones that simply keep the engine running strong.