The Detroit Lions had a few bum games in the preseason, but thankfully, the preseason is pretty much meaningless football, expect when it comes to testing out a team’s backup players. The issue for the Lions, though, is that they need some good second-string players on the team’s roster, especially given their current, and past, injury situation.
It’s scary the number of injuries the Lions have already sustained before the regular season even starts. One of the biggest doozies was when coach Dan Campbell announced that Detroit edge Josh Paschal will be out for longer than they initially expected. This is a hit to the edge position, which is a spot where the Lions already had some weakness.
Paschal has been on the active/non-football injury roster since July, but he was expected to be back early in the season. The Lions predicted he would be back by September, but now, it appears that Paschal will be designated as an NFI before the season starts. So, while the Lions already had a need for another solid edge, now, that need is even greater.
The Proposal: Trey Hendrickson and Alex Anzalone
Now, remember, this is a just a trade proposal, so don’t get too worked up over it. What hurts is that this proposal involves losing one of the Lions’ most beloved players, Alex Anzalone. But, the Lions are in a tight spot, and Anzalone might just be the kind of player who could drum up major interest in trade circuits.
The proposal is that the Detroit Lions send Anzalone and a second-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals, and in exchange, they get the coveted Trey Hendrickson. Now, it would hurt to lose both Anzalone and a second-round pick, but sometimes a team has to do what a team has to do.
The Bengals have been fielding interest for Hendrickson, but their price tag is high. Plus, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz out on Monday, August 25, the Bengals and Hendrickson have started up talks again for a deal, so it would take a lot to get him.
“The Bengals have re-started talks with All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson on a new deal for 2025,” Schultz stated on X. “My understanding is the two sides have been exploring a more ‘unique’ avenue to get something done. Giving Hendrickson more money this season while still letting his contract expire after the year — has been discussed.” He added that “more work to do, but there’s cautious optimism.”
Detroit Lions Need an Edge Opposite Aidan Hutchinson
Anzalone might be a big enough fish to spark interest from the Bengals. Trading him helps the team address a thin position group, because even though they drafted Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round, they need more strength in that position. The Detroit Lions have also restructured Anzalone’s contract and gave him more money, but they didn’t give him an extension. He’s going into the last year of his contract, and he’ll be 31 years old on the field this fall.
Anzalone is a golden player and an impact player, but the Lions might move on from him soon, anyway, or else they would have extended his deal. The Lions also have about $48 million in cap space and a big hole to fill on the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Holmes didn’t seem concerned about the team’s edge situation for a long time, but with Paschal injured, that could, and should, change.
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