The NFL trade deadline is on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 4 p.m. ET, which means talks are heating up around the league and analysts are coming up with potential trades. On Friday morning, ESPN’s “Get Up” had former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum on the show to break down his favorite trade ideas, but the segment quickly went up in flames.
Ryan Clarks Walks Off Set as Mike Tannenbaum Pitches Awful Trade Idea
Tannenbaum used to be GM of the New York Jets and executive vice president of football operations of the Miami Dolphins, so who better to come up with mock trade proposals?
That’s probably what ESPN producers were thinking when they planned this segment, but Tannenbaum lost the room (and viewers) when he threw out an absurd trade between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
The rest of 'Get Up' couldn't believe Mike Tannenbaum's trade proposal:
Detroit Lions get: Myles Garrett
Cleveland Browns get: Three first-round picks, a 2026 second-round pick, Jahmyr Gibbs. pic.twitter.com/DNyf5W1ddg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2024
Tannenbaum proposed that the Lions acquire Myles Garrett from the Browns in exchange for three first-round picks, a 2026 second-round pick, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Not only have multiple reporters made it clear that Garrett isn’t available, but it’s hard to imagine the Lions giving up this kind of haul. With the amount of outgoing pieces and first-round picks, this looks more like an NBA trade than something you would see in the NFL.
As Tannenbaum tried to explain his reasoning, the other panelists, Ryan Clark and Bart Scott, were flabbergasted. Clark immediately walked off the set.
“They need a pass rusher in the worst way. This guy is still young and in the prime of his career,” Tannenbaum said of Garrett. “If I’m Detroit, I could win the Super Bowl. Jahmyr Gibbs is a good player, but he’s replaceable.”
“What is in your cup?!” Scott asked. “Three [firsts]?! What is this, the Herschel Walker trade?!”
“These would be late picks,” Tannenbaum added. “Why wouldn’t Detroit win the Super Bowl?”
Fans had a field day, labeling this the worst trade proposal ever and pointing out that this segment explains why Tannenbaum is on an ESPN set rather than still working in a front office.
Which Pass Rushers Are Realistic Targets for the Lions?
While Tannenbaum’s trade proposal was absurd, he is right about one thing: the Lions desperately need pass-rushing help after Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula in Detroit’s Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
And Hutchinson isn’t the only Lions EDGE who suffered a significant injury this season. Marcus Davenport, whom Detroit signed to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million in March, went down with a season-ending triceps injury in Week 3.
Even before Hutchinson’s injury, it was clear that they needed to add a pass rusher, as Hutchinson was often a one-man wrecking crew.
Since this is clearly a position of need for the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell recently hinted that Detroit may make a trade, who could they pursue ahead of the deadline?
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby is a dream target for Detroit, but he also isn’t available, according to multiple reporters.
The Lions have reportedly been in contact with the Cleveland Browns about Za’Darius Smith. Interestingly, Smith was asked about this rumor, and he seemed interested in a change of scenery to Detroit.
“I’m staying positive, but now that you say that, it might be a good look, a good feel for me,” Smith said.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he expects Smith to be traded before the deadline.
"In my mind Diontae Johnson and Za'Darius Smith are gonna be traded before the deadline..
The Rams are only a game out in the NFC West and I don't expect them to move Cooper Kupp"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PhIPBmYAu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
Would the Carolina Panthers be open to moving Jadeveon Clowney after their 1-7 start? The Denver Broncos have a pair of pending free agent EDGEs — Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper — who might make sense for Detroit.
READ MORE: NFL Trade Deadline — 6 Defensive Players Who Could Get Dealt
The New Orleans Saints have lost six straight games, so would they be open to moving Chase Young? He is currently on a one-year deal, so if the Saints are looking ahead to the future or don’t have plans to re-sign him, perhaps trading him is on the table.
Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari and Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo have also been mentioned as potential targets.