A pair of heartbreaking playoff exits have defined the Detroit Lions’ seasons over the last two years. While the 2023 loss was inexplicable, their result last year was a direct result of a team that was ravaged by injuries. Up and down the roster, Detroit could not string together a strong enough lineup.
As a result, their season as the one-seed came to a brutal end at the hands of the Washington Commanders. Now, with both coordinators gone from the building, the Lions will try to make the third time their charm. However, to find the success they want, one analyst believes they need to add some critical depth at a key position.
Detroit Lions Need Blockbuster Defensive Insurance
Even though they finished fifth on PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season, Detroit wasn’t a strong unit on that end by the end of the year. Beginning with Aidan Hutchinson, the entire defensive unit fell apart at the seams, with injuries piling on seemingly every week.
Without Aaron Glenn as the defensive coordinator, head coach Dan Campbell will have to rebound and remake an excellent defense. However, in his trade target for every NFL team, Brandon Austin of PFSN argued that the team needs more depth at the edge rusher spot.
In terms of a solution, he has arguably the biggest name possible, Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals. After an ugly offseason where a contract extension for the league leader in sacks last season hasn’t come to pass, Hendrickson’s days in Ohio might be numbered.
Hendrickson offers the perfect Plan B for a team depending on Hutchinson to return from a season-ending leg injury and produce at an elite level. And in terms of production, very few names are as impactful as the Bengals’ superstar.
“Hendrickson was a one-man wrecking crew in 2024, earning his first All-Pro selection and a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He ranked first in the league in sacks (17.5) and pressures (83) and third in havoc plays (28).”
3.5 sacks tonight. 17.5 sacks on the season.
Trey Hendrickson was a BEAST for the @Bengals 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ul2vloeM85
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
With 57 sacks over the last four seasons, Hendrickson has been every bit the terrifying force that his accolades dictate. At the age of 30, there is enough juice left in the squeeze for Detroit to take a shot in the dark.
After two years of failed postseason endeavors, Campbell and the roster would like to get over the hump. It might not be easy, but Hendrickson is the difference-maker who could get the job done.