The Detroit Lions will officially begin their quest to earn their first NFC championship and Super Bowl berth during the 2025 NFL season this week with the start of training camp. But Bleacher Report’s Moe Morton argued Friday that the Lions shouldn’t be done acquiring players.
Moton made the Lions trading for edge rusher Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals one of his eight bold predictions for 2025 NFL training camp.
“The Bengals may not feel comfortable paying a 30-year-old edge-rusher entering his age-31 season that amount of money on a multiyear deal. At the right price, they would likely entertain trade proposals,” wrote Moton.
The Bleacher Report analyst suggested the Lions send a 2026 second-rounder and a fifth-round pick to the Bengals for Hendrickson.
“Aidan Hutchinson is cleared to participate in football activities, but Detroit needs a reliable pass-rusher opposite him on the defensive line,” wrote Moton.
“Marcus Davenport has struggled with injuries throughout his seven-year career. He’s missed 28 games over the last two seasons. Al-Quadin Muhammad has been mostly a backup for eight campaigns. Josh Paschal, a 2022 second-rounder, is going into a contract year without much pass-rushing production on his resume.
“As Super Bowl contenders, the Lions should be aggressive in filling a glaring roster need.”
Hendrickson is set to enter the final year of the contract extension he signed with the Bengals two years ago. The agreement was a one-year extension on the four-year contract he signed in Cincinnati before the 2021 season.
The deal will pay Hendrickson $21 million during 2025. The Bengals edge rusher led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season.
What Trey Hendrickson Would Bring to Detroit
It’s rather obvious what Hendrickson could provide the Lions in 2025.
No NFL defender had more sacks than the Bengals edge rusher during the 2023-24 seasons. Hendrickson reached 17.5 sacks in each season, giving him 35 overall.
By leading the league in sacks last season, Hendrickson made first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career. Last season was also his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. Hendrickson reached more than 13 sacks in both 2020 with the New Orleans Saints and 2021, which was his first campaign with the Bengals.
If Hendrickson becomes available on the NFL trade market, the rest of the 31 teams in the league will likely at least do their due diligence on potentially acquiring him. Every organization could use his pass rushing threat.
In 110 NFL games, Hendrickson has registered 77 sacks, 71 tackles for loss and 155 quarterback hits in his career. He’s also posted 15 pass defenses and 14 forced fumbles as well.
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