On offense, it could have been argued we were one player (a receiver) away.
I don’t think we can make the same argument on defense. Further, trading for players mid season seldom works, especially when you have basically zero cap flexibility to make the trades work. We’d wind up paying out the nose for anyone good enough to justify a trade in order to have the relinquishing team eat their salary.
This season has exposed bigger picture issues with our defense imo. We’re built to defend the pass. This worked well with offenses trending more to 11 personnel, throwing more from spread, etc. Offenses are now countering this type of defense with more run based schemes.
What does that mean for the future of our cover 2 zone? Can it be fixed with more bulk interior DL? Do we need bigger LBers and/or safeties that have more freedom to patrol LOS? Do we need DBs with better man skills? Is McD playing dead and saving actual scheme adjustments for playoffs?
I just don’t think we know enough yet to justify spending what it would take to bring in a difference making along the line, and if I had to guess, even someone like Myles Garrett (who would definitely help) wouldn’t be enough to lift this ill-matched defensive unit to a point of real contention.
This was always going to be a transition year. Unless, Mahomes, Lamar, and Goff all go down, it’s very likely going to still be a transition year regardless of what we do.