Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson is expected to take four to six months to recover from a broken tibia and fibula suffered against the Dallas Cowboys.

With his 2024 season likely over, many Lions fans are wondering if the team can actually achieve their goal of winning the Super Bowl this year.

Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket had a blunt assessment of the significance of losing one of the top young players at his position.

“That was one of the best games I’ve ever seen in this franchise, but that’s not the headline for me. The headline is that your season is over. You don’t win a Super Bowl as currently constructed because Aidan Hutchinson is dead,” Valenti said. “Along with Aidan, you lost Marcus Davenport. So your starter on each edge is gone. Aidan was off to one of the hottest, most dominant starts in recent National Football League memory. He started joining the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. So he’s your Nick Bosa, he’s your TJ Watt, your Myles Garrett, your pick-a-guy, your game wrecker.”

The popular sports radio host noted that many on the station were overly optimistic.

Aaron Glenn Reason why Detroit Lions can overcome Aidan Hutchinson’s injury

“Here I am. If you don’t go out there and swing for the fences, you’re going to be good, you’re going to be nice and you’re not going to win the Super Bowl,” Valenti said. “And this season’s draft, everything we talked about, Super Bowl or bust. So unless the Detroit Tigers voodoo takes place from your defensive line, where Bobby Woo Woo (Isaac Ukwu) turns into Hasson Reddick in his prime, or Brad (Holmes) breaks character and does something completely unusual in the acquisition market, I consider it like your Super Bowl dream died yesterday.

“That doesn’t mean you won’t make the playoffs, that’s not what I’m saying. This is what I’m saying: Outside of Jared Goff, the only player you couldn’t lose was Aidan Hutchinson. Period, period. You have nothing in the neighborhood. You have no way to replace.”

Replacement option

Many are calling for Holmes to complete a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star defensive lineman Maxx Crosby.

Valenti explained another option that Detroit could champion for long-term success.

“I’m serious – Myles Garrett. The Cleveland Browns are in decline, they are in freefall. At the very least, they will need to draft a rebuilding quarterback this year. If you can package picks and move Deshaun Watson to, say, Carolina to eat the money, you trigger a rebuild,” Valenti said. “If you keep Watson and hit the gigantic cap next year, you trigger a rebuild. What don’t you have money for? $20 million a year edge rushers. Myles Garrett has three years left on his deal, $20 million per year. It’s reasonable, it’s long-term, it fits within the team’s expectations and right here and now.”

Cleveland has started the 2024 season with a disappointing 1-5 record.

“If we believe this Lions team is still very good, pick somewhere between 25 and 32 over the next two years. Agreed? Call Cleveland, offer a first-round pick and see how things go from there,” said Valenti. “Myles Garrett. And don’t tell me Myles wants to sit there in Cleveland and rot for the rest of his career.”