The Detroit Lions have genuine Super Bowl aspirations heading into the new season. They already have a championship-caliber roster on paper, but that won't stop the front office from exploring ways to make an impressive team even stronger.

With that in mind, the Lions have reportedly inquired about Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Porter is reportedly unhappy with the Steelers, particularly because of the organization's policy of not negotiating contract extensions during the offseason.

That frustration has apparently reached a point where Porter wants out of Pittsburgh. The Steelers could therefore be willing to consider a trade, potentially opening the door for Detroit to make a serious move.

Adding Porter would give the Lions another talented option in the secondary. For a team hoping to compete deep into January, adding another high-level defender could make an already formidable roster even tougher to beat.

Much could depend on what Pittsburgh demands in return. However, Detroit now appears to have the financial flexibility to explore such a deal.

The Lions Recently Created $35.7 Million in Cap Space

The Lions recently created approximately $35.7 million in salary-cap space by restructuring the contracts of Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown. That move immediately gave Detroit considerably more flexibility heading into the season.

While the additional money can be used in several ways, it could also help facilitate a potential trade for Porter. The Lions would still need to work out the financial details and agree on suitable compensation with Pittsburgh.

Nevertheless, Detroit's newfound flexibility gives Brad Holmes more room to maneuver. If the Porter situation continues to deteriorate, the Lions could potentially have the resources needed to make their interest much more serious.

Written by

Joseph Nithin