Alright, Lions fans, take a deep breath—this is just a thought experiment. We’re not suggesting the Detroit Lions *will* or *should* trade for Bryce Young, but it’s an idea worth exploring, and we wanted to get it on the page. Earlier this week, during our midweek mailbag, a Lions fan asked about the possibility of trading for the Carolina Panthers’ young quarterback.
Doing a Lions mailbag. Please send me all of your questions
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) September 16, 2024
Our answer in the mailbag? Stick with Hendon Hooker for now. However, the idea of having a third quarterback in the mix—especially a 23-year-old with potential—doesn’t sound too crazy. The Panthers are on the verge of making a significant mistake by giving up on Young so quickly, and the Lions could potentially benefit from Carolina’s missteps.
Still, trading for Bryce Young would be risky for Detroit. The Panthers can’t expect a major return after benching him. At best, the compensation would resemble what the 49ers received for Trey Lance—a fourth-round pick. But what if the Lions sweetened the deal? Here’s the one trade proposal that could make sense:
Lions get:
– Bryce Young
– Xavier Legette
– 2025 fourth-round pick
Panthers get:
– 2025 second-round pick
– 2026 fifth-round pick
This deal would involve the Lions parting with a valuable draft pick but gaining a young quarterback who could sit and develop behind Jared Goff. If Goff retires or regresses in the coming years, Young could step in as the quarterback of the future. The trade also brings in Xavier Legette, a receiver the Lions have shown serious interest in during the draft process.
Detroit scouted Legette extensively, meeting him at the combine, attending his pro day, and inviting him for a top-30 visit. If things had gone differently on draft day, Legette could have been a Lion already. This trade would give the team an X-receiver to groom for the future, especially with current receiver Tim Patrick turning 31 soon and likely not a long-term solution.
In addition, the Lions would get a bonus fourth-round pick—potentially the first pick of that round—which they could use in future moves. On the other hand, the Panthers would receive a valuable second-round pick, which would be crucial for their ongoing rebuild.
For the Panthers, this is likely the best deal they could get for Bryce Young. They aren’t in a position to demand more given their situation, and if Detroit can’t get this deal, they should walk away.
If, however, the Lions can secure this trade, they should seriously consider pulling the trigger.
