Lions Fans React to D'Andre Swift Trade

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

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. 

Completely missed 10 of 50 games in his Detroit career. Had 10 or more rushing attempts in only 17 of the 40 he played. Some injuries are unavoidable, but in the NFL staying healthy is a skill. Hopefully Gibbs has it.

— TimD56 (@TimD56) April 29, 2023

I will always remember D’Andre Swift for singlehandedly getting us Penei Sewell with this play pic.twitter.com/qDpbbKdeSE

— gianni🦁 (@Clapped_Dre) April 29, 2023

No one was going to give us better than a late 5th for Swift, a 2025 4th is solid

— Honolulu Blues (@HonoluluBlues_) April 29, 2023

End of the crap era.

— Jason Silverstein (@JerseyShoreJay) April 29, 2023