A trade for Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has Brad Holmes and the Lions written all over it, here's the proposal
Welp, a crazy March in the NFL just got a little more crazy. The Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has been known to be the most headstrong franchise in the league when it comes to trades, has finally allowed a player to seek a trade. It just so happens that the player fits everything the […]
Welp, a crazy March in the NFL just got a little more crazy. The Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has been known to be the most headstrong franchise in the league when it comes to trades, has finally allowed a player to seek a trade. It just so happens that the player fits everything the Detroit Lions need and are looking for.
The Lions have been on the lookout for a premier edge rusher for a while now. They've called the Raiders about Maxx Crosby and they've called the Browns about Myles Garrett. It's really hard to trade for a premier edge rusher because teams generally don't want to trade them and the Lions have been wanting to do that while also being financially smart about it.
Hendrickson allows the Lions to do that for multiple reasons. The first being that Hendrickson is already 30 years old. The Lions have generally swayed more towards veterans who they can get on short-term deals. Right now Hendrickson has one year left on his deal and he's likely going to be looking for an extension from whichever team trades for him.
The Lions would be happy to oblige on that considering that his extension is going to be a lot cheaper than Garrett, Crosby or any other premier pass rusher. Spotrac projects that Hendrickson would get a two-year extension worth $60 million. The second reason here is that the Lions obviously have the money.
In terms of trade value, because Hendrickson is on the older side already. But the Bengals are likely going to want something good in return. The Lions have that to offer. Here is our trade proposal for Hedrickson:
Lions get: Trey Hendrickson
Bengals get: 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick
You might think that's not enough for the NFL's sack leader and a guy that was in the running for Defensive Player of the Year candidate, but again, Hendrickson is 30 and the Lions have to sign him to an extension. All the risk is on the Detroit side of the table here. It's not like that's bad compensation either. That's pretty high.
What the Lions get in Hendrickson is a guy who totaled 83 pressures and 18 sacks in 2024. He's an immediate starter and game changer opposite Aidan Hutchinson. He also has familiarity with Dan Campbell. The two were in New Orleans together for four seasons. Campbell knows what to expect from him. So does Kacy Rodgers, who saw him twice a year while he was coaching for the Buccaneers.
The Lions making a trade has never really felt like something that would actually happen until this moment. He fits everything they want on the field and everything they want in terms of figures. Do not be shocked if the Lions inquire and don't be shocked if they get it done.
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