The Detroit Lions, riding a wave of unprecedented success and Super Bowl aspirations, find themselves at a critical juncture regarding their roster construction, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. While the offensive firepower and strategic brilliance of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have propelled them forward, persistent questions remain about the defense, especially the edge rush position opposite star Aidan Hutchinson. This mounting pressure is now squarely focused on Josh Paschal, a defender currently costing the team a significant $7.7 million, who has managed a paltry 2 sacks in his three seasons with the team. The consensus among frustrated fans and increasingly, analysts, is that time is up in Detroit for the underperforming Paschal.
Paschal, a former second-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, was brought in with high hopes to bolster the Lions’ pass rush. At 6’3″ and 270 pounds, he possessed the versatility to play both inside and outside, a trait highly valued by defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (who has since moved to the Jets, adding another layer of complexity to the defensive scheme). However, his production has simply not matched his draft status or, more critically, his financial investment.
- Rookie Season (2022): Paschal’s rookie year was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 10 games. He managed just 2 sacks, along with 17 total tackles and 2 tackles for loss. While showing flashes of potential, the impact was minimal.
- Second Season (2023): Expectations were higher in his sophomore year, but Paschal failed to take the anticipated leap. He played in 15 games, registering 0 sacks, despite increasing his snaps. His overall pressures were inconsistent, and he struggled to consistently convert pressures into sacks.
- Third Season (2024): With the Lions’ defense still needing significant help, Paschal again failed to deliver. Playing in 14 games, he recorded 0 sacks, reinforcing concerns about his ability to generate consistent quarterback pressure. He ended the 2024 campaign as one of Detroit’s two starters at EDGE, compiling 22 quarterback hurries and 31 total pressures in his 14 games (10 starts), according to Sports Illustrated. While hurries and pressures are positive, the lack of finishes (sacks) is a critical issue for an edge defender.
Across these three seasons, a total of 2 sacks for a player carrying a cap hit of $7.7 million (specifically, his four-year rookie contract was worth $7,735,650, making his average annual value just under $2 million, but his cap hit for 2025 is $2,461,346) is a stark underperformance. For context, Aidan Hutchinson, drafted in the same class, has become a bonafide superstar, consistently ranking among the league leaders in sacks and pressures. The disparity in production for similarly valued draft picks highlights the Lions’ missed opportunity with Paschal.
The Lions’ defensive struggles, particularly their inability to consistently generate organic pass rush outside of Hutchinson, are a well-documented issue. In the 2024 season, the team ranked near the bottom of the league in several key defensive categories, especially pass defense and sacks. While they addressed some needs in the secondary and defensive tackle spots through free agency and the draft in the recent offseason, the second edge rusher remains a glaring question mark.
This context puts immense pressure on General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell. They’ve built a culture of accountability and meritocracy, where players are expected to earn their snaps and justify their contracts. With the team now firmly in a Super Bowl contention window, every roster spot and every dollar spent is under intense scrutiny.
- Financial Implications: Paschal’s 2025 cap hit is $2,461,346. While this isn’t a colossal sum for a starting defensive end, the lack of production makes it a problematic one. According to Spotrac, Paschal has $701,483 in remaining guarantees on his rookie contract. Releasing him would incur dead cap, but the overall cap savings from moving on could be repurposed for a more impactful player. Given the Lions have the second most cap space in the league for 2025 ($48.59 million as of July 2, 2025, per Spotrac), they have the financial flexibility to absorb some dead cap if it means upgrading the position.
- Need for a Complementary Rusher: The defensive line rotation is crucial. Opposing offenses can dedicate extra resources to blocking Hutchinson if the threat from the opposite side is minimal. This limits Hutchinson’s effectiveness and prevents the defense from truly unleashing its potential. The Lions have attempted to address this with players like Marcus Davenport (who had a $4,047,500 cap hit in 2025 but only suited up for two games in 2024 due to injury and is now an unrestricted free agent), but sustained success has been elusive.
- Deep Draft Class & Free Agency Alternatives: The 2025 NFL Draft was touted as having a strong class of edge rushers, and free agency always presents opportunities. With teams needing to win now, relying on a player with a history of underperformance, especially at a premium position, becomes increasingly untenable.
- Dan Campbell’s “Kneecap” Culture: Campbell’s philosophy emphasizes players who embody grit, effort, and relentless play. While Paschal’s effort is rarely questioned, the quantifiable results are missing. In a system that rewards production and impact, Paschal’s statistical output simply doesn’t align.
The decision to move on from a second-round pick after just three seasons is never easy. It represents a “sunk cost” – time and resources already invested. However, successful NFL teams understand that clinging to underperforming assets due to past investments can hinder future success. General Manager Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to make tough decisions, as evidenced by some of his other roster moves.
The Lions have a pivotal offseason ahead, even after their initial free agency moves and the draft. The pressure to solidify the pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson will only intensify as training camp approaches. Whether it’s through signing a veteran free agent, making a trade (as speculated with T.J. Watt, though that’s a long shot), or trusting a young player who has shown more flashes, the Lions need to find a solution.
For Josh Paschal, the message is clear: the 2025 season is likely a make-or-break year. Unless he demonstrates a significant and sudden leap in pass-rushing production, converting those pressures into sacks, his time in Detroit, with his current contract, appears to be rapidly running out. The Lions are built to win now, and they can no longer afford to carry a $7.7 million cap hit for a defensive end who isn’t consistently getting to the quarterback. The “Time’s Up” sentiment is mounting, and the Lions’ front office will be forced to make a difficult, but necessary, decision if the performance doesn’t drastically improve.
