T.J. Watt would join the Detroit Lions in a trade that FanDuel suggested. If Aidan Hutchinson and T.J. Watt teamed up on the Detroit Lions’ defense, just think of the mayhem that would ensue in the NFC. FanDuel’s audacious trade proposal, which sends the All-Pro linebacker from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Detroit, created precisely that situation. The concept has the potential to be transformative and is more than just visually appealing.

The notion of pairing Aidan Hutchinson with T.J. Watt on the Detroit Lions’ defensive front is the kind of audacious, game-changing fantasy that fuels offseason discussions and ignites the imagination of NFL fans.¹ FanDuel, known for its bold predictions and viral hypotheticals, recently proposed precisely such a scenario: an All-Pro trade that would send T.J. Watt from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Detroit. The concept isn’t just visually appealing; it holds the potential to be truly transformative, creating a level of mayhem in the NFC that would redefine defensive dominance.

To understand the sheer magnitude of such a move, one must first grasp the individual prowess of these two generational talents. Aidan Hutchinson, the homegrown hero of the Detroit Lions, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most disruptive young edge rushers. Despite a truncated 2024 season due to injury, he was on a historic pace, leading the NFL in sacks and pressures through five games, showcasing an elite blend of power, technique, and relentless motor.² He is viewed as the cornerstone of Detroit’s defense, a player poised for a Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2025 as he returns fully healthy and with a vengeance.³

Then there’s T.J. Watt, the reigning iron man of NFL pass rushers and a consistent contender for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Watt’s resume speaks for itself: an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award (2021), multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, and a knack for generating game-changing turnovers.⁴ He is a sack artist, a run-stopper, and a master of disruption, capable of taking over games single-handedly.⁵ His career statistics are staggering, consistently ranking among the league’s best in sacks, forced fumbles, and pressures.⁶ He is currently under contract with the Steelers through the 2025 season, carrying a significant cap hit of over $30 million. However, reports indicate some friction with the Steelers over a potential contract extension, leading to him skipping mandatory minicamp and sparking trade rumors from various outlets, including the one proposed by FanDuel.⁷ Furthermore, recent whispers suggest that if he were to ever leave Pittsburgh, Watt would be “very interested” in playing for the Detroit Lions due to his admiration for head coach Dan Campbell’s leadership and culture.

Now, imagine these two forces of nature, Aidan Hutchinson and T.J. Watt, lining up on opposite sides of the Detroit Lions’ defensive line. The sheer “mayhem” they would create is almost unfathomable.

1. Unrelenting Dual-Edge Pressure: The primary benefit would be an unparalleled dual-edge pass rush. Opposing offensive coordinators would face an impossible dilemma. Double-teaming one would leave the other in a one-on-one situation against an overmatched offensive lineman. Both Hutchinson and Watt possess elite pass-rushing arsenals – a combination of speed, power, and technical skill. This would force quick throws, lead to more errant passes, and create a plethora of opportunities for sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. Quarterbacks would have no escape.
2. Impact on the Interior Defensive Line: The presence of two dominant edge rushers would inherently elevate the play of the interior defensive line. Defensive tackles like Alim McNeill (upon his full return from injury) and DJ Reader (a premier run-stuffer) would face fewer double teams, allowing them to consistently push the pocket from the middle. This creates a synergistic effect, collapsing the pocket from all angles and suffocating opposing offenses.
3. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers: Both Hutchinson and Watt are exceptional at generating turnovers. Watt leads the league in forced fumbles (33 career), while Hutchinson also has a knack for punching out the ball and even picking off passes (4 career interceptions). The constant pressure they would apply would lead to more strip-sacks, errant throws resulting in interceptions, and general chaos that the Lions’ opportunistic defense thrives on. D. Enhanced Defensive Scheme Flexibility: Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard (or his successor, depending on future staffing) would have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. He could unleash a myriad of blitz packages, stunts, and exotic looks, knowing that no matter the alignment, he has two elite disruptors capable of winning their matchups. This would keep opposing offenses constantly guessing and unable to settle into a rhythm.
4. Covering Up Secondary Weaknesses: Even the most talented secondaries can benefit from an elite pass rush. The faster the quarterback is forced to throw, the less time receivers have to get open, and the easier it is for defensive backs to cover. This formidable pass rush could mask any lingering weaknesses in the Lions’ secondary, allowing them to play more aggressively and trust the pressure up front.
5. Psychological Impact: The psychological toll on opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks would be immense. Knowing they face Watt and Hutchinson on every snap would be demoralizing, potentially leading to false starts, holding penalties, and hurried decisions. This mental advantage is often overlooked but incredibly powerful in the NFL.

While the “mayhem” is undeniable, the practicality of such a trade is where the “audacious” part of FanDuel’s proposal truly comes into play. Acquiring a player of T.J. Watt’s caliber, particularly one who is the cornerstone of his current franchise, would require an astronomical package.

1. Compensation: The Steelers would demand a king’s ransom. We’re talking multiple first-round picks, potentially a combination of high-value picks and established young players. The Buffalo Bills’ hypothetical trade proposal for Watt, mentioned in recent news, involved a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, and linebacker Dorian Williams.⁸ The Lions would need to match or exceed that. Detroit general manager Brad Holmes has been judicious with draft capital, but for Watt, he might consider breaking the bank.
2. Salary Cap Implications: This is perhaps the biggest hurdle. T.J. Watt has a cap hit of over $30 million in 2025. While the Lions currently have around $40 million in cap space for 2025, that’s before accounting for extensions for their own rising stars (Aidan Hutchinson included, although his current cap hit for 2025 is a manageable $11.3 million). Acquiring Watt would necessitate significant cap maneuvering, including potential contract restructures, extensions, or even releasing other valuable players. The Lions have shown a willingness to be aggressive in free agency (signing DJ Reader) but a trade of this magnitude would be unprecedented for them.
3. Steelers’ Willingness to Trade: The Pittsburgh Steelers consider T.J. Watt untouchable. He is the heart and soul of their defense, and they are notoriously reluctant to trade their stars. The current contract talks and his minicamp absence are leverage tactics, not necessarily an indication that a trade is imminent. It would take a catastrophic breakdown in negotiations for the Steelers to even entertain the idea.
4. Watt’s Future Contract: Watt is entering the final year of his current deal. Any team trading for him would likely need to immediately sign him to a massive extension, pushing his annual value potentially into the $35-40 million range. This would be a long-term financial commitment that the Lions would need to be comfortable with, especially considering his age (31 at the start of the 2025 season).

Despite the significant obstacles, the “transformative” aspect of this hypothetical trade cannot be overstated. For the Detroit Lions, acquiring T.J. Watt would not just make them a better defense; it would elevate them into the conversation of truly elite, historically dominant units. It would signal to the entire league that the Lions are all-in for a Super Bowl, willing to make the boldest of moves to achieve their ultimate goal.

The combination of Hutchinson’s burgeoning superstardom and Watt’s established greatness would create a defensive identity that would strike fear into the hearts of every opposing offense in the NFC. It’s a fantasy scenario, yes, but one that highlights the immense impact a truly elite pass rush can have on a championship contender. If the stars, and the finances, somehow aligned, the mayhem T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson could unleash together in Detroit would be a spectacle for the ages.