The Lions have found the perfect replacement for Aidan Hutchinson in Titans Breakout, and they need her.

Just this past offseason, the Tennessee Titans signed defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons to a four-year, $94 million deal to solidify their passing rush for years to come. However, that was before Tennessee began its downward spiral.

The Titans don’t have a quarterback of the future. Will Levis was injured this week, but even when he was healthy, he was anything but a franchise signal caller. Mason Rudolph isn’t the answer either. Malik Willis could have been, but he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in August. Essentially, the Titans are flying blind and lack the most important part of any contending team, QB playmaking ability.

Tennessee spent a lot of money last offseason, but it didn’t equate to a win for the football team. When the Titans got rid of Mike Vrabel in favor of Brian Callahan, they took a risk over potential stability. Callahan deserves time to build a franchise in his image, but that might start with cleaning house.

If Simmons were available, he would be the top player on the open market. He was signed long-term but only has one sack on the season. Tennessee could force a team like the Detroit Lions to take on Simmons’ contract and forfeit the draft out of their own desperation.

A couple of weeks ago, Detroit lost Aidan Hutchinson, their only outstanding pass rusher this season. The Lions are in a great position to compete in the NFC, as evidenced by their last two wins over Minnesota and then, ironically, the Titans. Detroit scored 52 points on Sunday and gave up just 14 to the Titans.

However, even with such a small sample size, it was clear that the Lions pass rush was lacking. Whoever Detroit faces in the NFC playoffs will need to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, Hutchinson has provided just that, but two weeks before the deadline they have yet to replace that production. Za’Darius Smith is a cute idea, but they should aim higher.

Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett are not playing. Simmons probably does too, but he’s worth a call. An early second day coupled with the completion of the remainder of Simmons’ contract could be enough to seal the deal – or at least start the conversation.