The Detroit Lions haven’t made any flashy moves this offseason to beef up their pass rush, but that doesn’t mean the rumor mill has gone quiet. After missing out on several edge rushers, the Lions are once again being linked to All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson—thanks to a messy contract standoff in Cincinnati.
Despite some recent talks between Hendrickson and the Bengals, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that things aren’t going well. The two sides can’t seem to agree on either the money or the length of a new deal, and the situation doesn’t look like it’s getting better anytime soon.
That opens the door—again—for Detroit to enter the conversation.
The Lions still haven’t added a proven pass rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson. While there’s been chatter about veterans like Za’Darius Smith, Hendrickson would be a massive upgrade. He led the league in sacks in 2024 and would immediately boost a defensive front that’s already on the rise.
Still, there’s a big catch: the price tag. Hendrickson won’t come cheap, and the Lions have some major contracts looming, including extensions for Hutchinson and wideout Jameson Williams. Committing big money to a player like Hendrickson could throw off Detroit’s future financial flexibility.
Even so, this is a name worth watching. The Bengals may not want to deal him, but if the situation continues to deteriorate—and if Detroit wants to go all-in for a Super Bowl run—don’t be surprised if Brad Holmes picks up the phone.
Could Trey Hendrickson Be the Missing Piece for Detroit’s Super Bowl Push?
