The Detroit Lions should be one of the top teams in the NFC once again in 2025. However, the team has a glaring need at edge rusher that must be addressed to compete for a Super Bowl.
The Lions don’t have another starting-caliber edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, who is set to return from a leg injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 6.
A reunion with Za’Darius Smith is a possible move general manager Brad Holmes could make to address the pass rush, but Heavy Sports’ Jordan J. Wilson also believes Detroit should look into a blockbuster trade for Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
If none of the free-agent veterans appeal to them, the Lions could make a bold decision and go all-in with a blockbuster trade for Hendrickson. Although, they need to find a structure for Hendrickson that would not prohibit them from extending Hutchinson.
Hendrickson and the Bengals are in a contract dispute. The superstar pass rusher has been seeking a long-term extension from the franchise since last offseason, but both sides aren’t on the same page in negotiations.
With the lack of movement in his contract situation, Hendrickson skipped mandatory minicamp earlier this month and has stated that he won’t play under his current deal. Though the Bengals have restarted contract talks with their cornerstone defender, they still seem to be far apart on a deal.
Trading for Hendrickson would be an all-in move by the Lions. The 30-year-old would form a lethal pass-rushing duo with Hutchinson and take Detroit’s defense to the next level.
The main roadblock in acquiring Hendrickson for the Lions is money. The team may not have enough cap space to pay two edge rushers top-of-the-market money, as Hutchinson is also in line for an extension.
If Detroit can figure out a contract with Hendrickson that gives them the flexibility to also lock up Hutchinson for the long run, then making the trade with Cincinnati is a no-brainer. However, the Lions’ first priority should be Hutchinson and getting something done with the 2022 No.2 overall pick.
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