Saturday open thread: Should the Lions trade Tyrell Crosby?

Late Thursday night, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Detroit Lions are considering their options for offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby.

After drafting Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Sewell figures to be the team’s starting right tackle, relegating Crosby to backup duty—a place he’s been comfortable in since he arrived in Detroit four years ago.

This leads us to today’s Question of the Day...

Should the Lions trade Tyrell Crosby?

If there’s a relative strength to this Detroit Lions team, it’s their offensive line. General manager Brad Holmes added the aforementioned Sewell and the Lions suddenly bookended their front line in a big way. After the draft, Holmes brought in guard Tommy Kraemer and center Drake Jackson as undrafted free agents who not only have a legitimate shot of making the roster but could also provide viable depth in case of injuries.

But perhaps Detroit’s greatest piece of depth up front is Crosby. Capable of playing both tackle positions, Crosby brings both versatility and replacement level value at a premier position. Without question, Crosby would be a valuable asset to any team in the league—including the Lions—but for some teams, Crosby is worth a little bit more.

To say the Detroit Lions have an uphill climb would be offensive to your elders who walked uphill, both ways, in all sorts of weather to and from school. The win-loss total for Detroit doesn’t mean nearly as much as seeing a competent coaching staff begin to put young players in a position to develop and succeed down the road. Now, for a team with their window of title contention open, a player like Crosby is the kind of luxury you pay to ensure you don’t end up like the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

To me, every player has a price, and Crosby is no different. He’s on the last year of his rookie deal, is about to turn 26 in September, and could very well be interested in becoming a full-time starter—and making that kind of coin as well. He’s a solid backup, but if he doesn’t figure into the Lions plans beyond 2021, it would be prudent of Holmes to at least explore what Crosby could net for the team.

Your turn.