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Could a Bengals star be the missing piece in Detroit’s Super Bowl puzzle?
Injury-Battered Lions Defense Looks to Reload
The Detroit Lions are coming off a stellar 15-2 season, but one nagging issue kept them from pushing further in the playoffs: defense. Injuries piled up down the stretch, and by the time they faced the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, the defense just couldn’t hold up.
With 2025 around the corner, Detroit looks to bounce back—and if they want to take that final leap to Super Bowl contender, they might want to consider dialing up the Cincinnati Bengals.
A Star Pass Rusher on the Move?
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson didn’t report to mandatory minicamp this week. He’s in the final year of his contract and appears to be making some noise—whether for a new deal or a potential ticket out of Cincinnati.
That’s where the Lions come in.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin recently dropped a list of five teams who could be ideal trade destinations for Hendrickson, and at the top? The Detroit Lions.
“With more than $40 million in 2025 salary cap space still available, they could be a prime landing spot for a proven talent,” Benjamin wrote.
The Hutchinson-Hendrickson Duo?
It’s no secret Detroit needs another elite pass rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Za’Darius Smith filled that role decently last year after arriving at the trade deadline—but with his departure, there’s a hole again.
Trey Hendrickson could plug that hole with authority.
Last season, he racked up 17.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 6 pass deflections. That’s the kind of production that shifts games and fuels playoff runs.
Imagine quarterbacks having to deal with both Hutchinson and Hendrickson collapsing the pocket—suddenly, Detroit’s defense looks less like a liability and more like a strength.
Detroit’s Window Is Wide Open
The Lions have already done the work of locking down their young core. Jared Goff is signed long-term, the offensive line is intact, and the receiver room is stacked.
And they’ve still got over $40 million in cap space.
They also invested a first-round pick in defensive tackle Tyliek Williams from Ohio State to shore up the interior. Adding Hendrickson would give them one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in football.
The NFC is wide open. The time is now. The Lions don’t just have the money—they have the opportunity.
Could Hendrickson be the final piece of the puzzle?
Stay tuned, Detroit fans. This one’s heating up.