DETROIT — The offseason lull didn’t last long in the Motor City. Less than a week after the confetti settled on the NFL season, the debate lines are already drawn, and this time, the target is the sacred cow of the Lions’ offense: Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The proposal? A blockbuster swap sending the “Sun God” to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.
It sounds crazy on paper—trading the heart of Ben Johnson’s offense for a 31-year-old tackle coming off a “down” year. But when you look at the Lions’ desperate need for interior pressure and the sudden emergence of young receivers like Isaac TeSlaa, the idea moves from “impossible” to “intriguing.”
The Proposal: A Sun for a Shield
The conversation started on 97.1 The Ticket, where a caller floated the idea of swapping elite assets to fix Detroit’s biggest flaw. The Lions have been hunting for a partner for Aidan Hutchinson for years, and while Alim McNeill is solid, he isn’t the game-wrecker Chris Jones is.
Rico Beard, co-host of the afternoon drive, didn’t dismiss it. In fact, he doubled down.
“I’d do it. It would hurt, but you’ve got Isaac TeSlaa here, you’ve got Jamo [Jameson Williams] here. You could go and find a veteran wide receiver if you need them. Yes, and you’re adding Chris Jones to go along with Aidan Hutchinson. I’d do that trade in a heartbeat.”
— Rico Beard, 97.1 The Ticket Host
Why The Trade Actually Has Legs (and Why It Doesn’t)
Let’s look at the cold hard cash. We are currently sitting in February 2026. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s massive extension is now hitting the books with a hefty $33.1 million cap hit this season. Meanwhile, Chris Jones is carrying a mountainous $44.8 million cap charge for Kansas City.
From a financial standpoint, both teams might be looking for a shake-up. The Chiefs need weapons for Mahomes, especially with the uncertainty in their receiver room. Detroit needs to stop the run and crush the pocket.
The Chris Jones Factor:
Critics will point to Jones’ 2025 campaign. He posted a 70.5 PFF grade—his lowest mark since his rookie season. His run defense grade plummeted to 43.4, ranking him 107th among interior defenders. That is concerning.
However, the pass rush is still elite. Jones tallied seven sacks, 19 hits, and 37 hurries last season. Pair that interior disruption with Hutchinson off the edge, and you suddenly have a defensive front that can close out the NFC Championship game—something Detroit has learned the hard way is essential.
The TeSlaa Effect:
Beard’s confidence hinges on the rapid development of Isaac TeSlaa. The 2025 third-round pick out of Arkansas flashed serious potential in his rookie year, becoming a reliable big-body target for Jared Goff. If the Lions front office believes TeSlaa and Jameson Williams can carry the load, St. Brown becomes a luxury they might trade to secure a generational defender.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Brad Holmes has never shied away from aggressive moves, but trading St. Brown would be a franchise-altering gamble. It strips Goff of his security blanket. However, if the goal is to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2027, the path goes through the defensive line. The Chiefs and Lions will likely dominate the headlines until free agency opens in March, but for now, this remains just a radio rumor—albeit one that makes a frightening amount of sense.
