The Detroit Lions expect Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to make a full recovery from his 2024 leg fracture. But will his return be enough to put the Lions into the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history?
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argued it would be best if the Lions addressed edge rusher before the regular season and maybe even in a huge way. Knox mentioned Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson as a possibility.
“While it would be great to have a healthy Hutchinson in training camp and under contract long-term, Detroit should be looking for more at the position. The defense recorded just 37 sacks as a unit last season. Za’Darius Smith ranked second behind Hutchinson with only four,” wrote Knox.
“The Lions released Smith this offseason. Bringing him back or acquiring another pass rusher via free agency or trade—Trey Hendrickson looms as a top trade target—would be wise.”
The Lions trading for Hendrickson would be a blockbuster deal. The Bengals edge rusher led the NFL with 17.5 sacks during the 2024 season.
Hendrickson reached double-digit sacks in four of the past five seasons, and he has posted 35 sacks since the start of 2023.
Why Lions Should Be Interested in Edge Trey Hendrickson
It’s not a hard argument to make. Hendrickson made first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. The edge rusher also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Arguably all 31 teams in the league should be interested if the Bengals can’t ink Hendrickson to a new deal.
The edge rusher has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason because his contract will expire after 2025. He was almost a free agency this offseason, but the Bengals signed Hendrickson to a one-year, $21 million extension for this year.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the Bengals and Hendrickson are not close to signing a long-term deal.
If it reaches a point where the Bengals are forced to trade Hendrickson, the Lions could be a suitor (along with every other contender in the league). Landing Hendrickson would give Detroit the clear-cut best edge rushing tandem in the NFL.
Hendrickson has made the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons. In addition to 17.5 sacks, he also had 46 combined tackles, including 19 for loss, 36 quarterback hits, six pass defenses and two forced fumbles in 2024.
Why Hendrickson Isn’t a Fit for the Lions
Trading for Hendrickson is an aggressive move that the Lions could pursue to push for the Super Bowl in 2025. However, there are a couple reasons why it’s not likely to happen.
Any team that acquires Hendrickson is going to need to immediately pay him. The edge rusher doesn’t want to play on a one-year deal in Cincinnati, and he’s not going to wish to do that elsewhere.
Hendrickson’s contract value is unclear, which is likely why his negotiations have been difficult. But the edge rushing market skyrocketed this offseason when Myles Garrett signed his record-setting deal.
The Lions picked up Hutchinson’s fifth-year option, so they bought some time with his contract. But he is due for his first big deal neither this summer or next.
If Detroit trades for and signs Hendrickson, inking Hutchinson to a new deal will become much more difficult.
Acquiring Hendrickson is also likely to be expensive. One first-round pick could be the starting point in trade talks. It may even be higher.
The draft capital and money it could take to bring Hendrickson to Detroit will likely be too high. But that doesn’t mean the Lions couldn’t inquire and shop for other edge rushers this summer.
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