The Detroit Lions are preparing for what could be a pivotal 2025 NFL season. After emerging as legitimate Super Bowl contenders over the past two years, last season ended in disappointment with a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, dampening the excitement in the Motor City.
Detroit made key additions in free agency and the draft, addressing several roster needs. Still, one glaring hole remains: the Lions need a true pass-rushing threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson to elevate their front seven to elite status. One potential game-changing name continues to be linked to Detroit, who could take the defense to the next level.
Lions Legend Calvin Johnson Endorses Popular Trade Idea
Fans and media alike have kept a close eye on the Trey Hendrickson situation. The star pass rusher is seeking a new contract from the Cincinnati Bengals, but so far, the two sides have failed to reach an agreement.
If no deal is made, Hendrickson is set to hit free agency in 2026. Given that possibility, the Bengals may be better off exploring a trade. As one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL, Hendrickson would carry significant value on the market.
The Lions, meanwhile, have done little to bolster their pass rush this offseason. They selected just one edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft and that pick came in the sixth round. With a clear need opposite Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit could be a logical suitor.
Even franchise legend Calvin Johnson has voiced his support for a potential move, expressing excitement over what Hendrickson could bring to the Lions’ defense.
“Man, I would love that. Aidan and Hendrickson across from each other; that’s pretty scary. That would be awesome, that would be a dominant move. I don’t know if we can afford it, but, hey, that would be a great move,” Johnson told Up & Adams on Thursday afternoon.
“Aidan Hutchinson and Trey Hendrickson across from each other, that’s pretty scary.”😳
Calvin Johnson on the idea of Hendrickson joining the Lions.@heykayadams | @calvinjohnsonjr pic.twitter.com/J33YcpGFBu
Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 12, 2025
A potential trade for Hendrickson has been a popular talking point among Lions fans for some time. Detroit has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent years, a problem that was magnified in 2024 as injuries mounted on the defensive side.
The Lions finished the 2024 season in the bottom 10 in sacks, recording just 37 as a team. A significant factor was the early-season loss of Hutchinson, who appeared in only four games before going down with an injury in Week 5. Even when Hutchinson was healthy, Detroit lacked a consistent pass-rushing threat outside of the former Michigan star.
A significant trade for a pass rusher does seem unlikely, though. General manager Brad Holmes addressed this idea early in the offseason. He said that trading for a pass rusher is difficult, and they may not be able to afford them either way.
“Those guys are hard to acquire, and it’s hard to keep them financially, you know. Again, we have one that’s due for an extension, and we’ve already kind of gotten to the planning stages about him already,” Holmes said, via NFL.com, back in February.
“So when you talk about adding another one, it’s like, well, alright, can you financially add another one? Because you want to add the other one on top of everything else that you have, and that makes it tough.”
Since then, Detroit has signed safety Kerby Joseph to a four-year deal that made him the highest-paid safety in the league. They also locked up linebacker Derrick Barnes with a three-year extension.
With Hutchinson and other key players due for new contracts in the near future, finding room for a potential deal with Hendrickson would be a significant challenge for GM Brad Holmes and his front office.
