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Lions Fans React to D'Andre Swift Trade

D'Andre Swift simply could not stay healthy during his stint with the Detroit Lions.

John Maakaron

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Lions general manager Brad Holmes has not waited long to deconstruct the roster assembled by his predecessor Bob Quinn. 

After three injury-riddled seasons, running back D'Andre Swift was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft compensation. 

Despite being a second-round pick back in 2020, Swift battled numerous injuries, which likely soured how the team felt about the ex-Georgia Bulldogs running back. 

In the past decade, the value of drafting a running back in earlier rounds has been hotly contested, and teams have subsequently begun to select backs later and later.  

For Detroit, it felt it was necessary to select Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in this year's draft. 

"I want to win. So, I’m just going to do all the work," Gibbs said at his introductory media session. "I would say winning, everything comes like all the awards and all of that comes with winning. So, once you win, all that will be taken care of.”

For Detroit's front office and personnel department, it was simply not going to be the case that last year's running backs duo would return. Ealier this offseason, Jamaal Williams departed for the New Orleans Saints after not being able to land a contract with Detroit. 

In just two short years, Holmes has dealt Swift, along with Matthew Stafford, Jeff Okudah and T.J. Hockenson. All were considered at one time to be part of a core group of players that was expected to have much more success than what actually occurred. 

Here is a sample of the reaction online to Swift being dealt to the NFC East powerhouse. 

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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