The Detroit Lions dealt with a nightmare injury situation in 2024, losing 16 defensive players to the injured list while still managing to win 15 regular-season games. Aidan Hutchinson was putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign before breaking his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Detroit scrambling to find pass rush production.
Despite earning the top seed in the NFC, the Lions couldn’t overcome their depleted defense when it mattered most. Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders exposed Detroit’s weakened pass rush in the Division Round, with the Lions failing to record a single sack in their playoff exit.
How Can the Lions Fix Their Pass Rush Problem?
With Hutchinson healthy and ready to return at full strength, Detroit needs to address the opposite edge position to create a formidable pass rushing tandem. PFSN’s Brandon Austin believes the Detroit Lions will make a play for Cincinnati pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
“Financially, the Lions are among the few contenders positioned to absorb Hendrickson’s current deal, with $51.3 million in 2025 cap space, according to Spotrac,” Austin explains. “His acquisition would remedy Detroit’s lack of proven edge options behind Hutchinson, particularly given Marcus Davenport’s injury issues and Josh Paschal’s limited production. Levi Onwuzurike’s torn ACL also hurts the defensive line depth.”
Meanwhile, Hendrickson has found himself locked in difficult contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals. The situation has deteriorated to the point where Hendrickson walked away from the team’s training camp and relocated to Florida.
Dianna Russini reports that Hendrickson remains dissatisfied with the contract offers Cincinnati has presented.
EXCLUSIVE: Just spoke to Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is currently in Jacksonville, FL. For the last 30 days, he had been at his home in Cincinnati and training.
But as training camp approached, he and his wife decided to leave.
They received two offers in a… pic.twitter.com/evlSdeWlpK
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) July 22, 2025
Given the ongoing contract standoff, a trade scenario makes sense for both Hendrickson and the Bengals organization.
Austin reinforces Detroit’s financial flexibility, noting that “the Lions are among the few contenders positioned to absorb Hendrickson’s current deal…”
Based on these circumstances, Austin projects the following trade package:
- Lions receive: EDGE Trey Hendrickson
- Bengals receive: 2026 2nd-round pick, 2026 5th-round pick
The proposed deal makes sense for both organizations involved. While Cincinnati’s fanbase might not appreciate losing a premium pass rusher, the front office could view this as an opportunity to shed a contract they’re reluctant to extend while acquiring valuable draft capital.
For Detroit, landing Hendrickson would represent a major coup. Operating in win-now mode, the Lions would acquire a proven pass rusher in his prime to complement Hutchinson, potentially transforming their defense back into a championship-caliber unit.
