The Detroit Lions came painfully close to the NFC title game last season, but injuries on defense ultimately derailed their playoff run. With a loaded offense and a stacked O-line, it’s clear the last major piece missing is another game-wrecker on the edge. And that piece might just be Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals star pass rusher is holding out of minicamp and reportedly wants either a new contract or a new team. Enter the Lions — a team with over $40 million in cap space and a pressing need opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin has Detroit as the top destination for Hendrickson, pointing out that while Detroit nailed the draft offensively, they curiously passed on adding a top-tier edge rusher. With Za’Darius Smith gone and no clear replacement on the roster, this move makes too much sense.
Hendrickson is coming off a dominant season in Cincinnati: 17.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 6 pass deflections. Put him next to Hutchinson and rookie Tyliek Williams? That’s a front line built to wreck gameplans in January.
The Lions already locked up their core long-term. Now it’s time to swing big and go all-in. Hendrickson could be the missing piece that finally gets Detroit over the hump and into the Super Bowl conversation.
If Brad Holmes and company are serious about bringing a Lombardi to Detroit, this is the moment to act.
$40M in cap space. A disgruntled All-Pro pass rusher.
The Lions HAVE to make this move.
