Lions Blockbuster Trade Proposal Lands $21 Million Superstar Edge Rusher for Picks
The Detroit Lions have very few positions that need major upgrades this offseason, but one that clearly stands out is the edge rusher role.
Aidan Hutchinson, who had an incredible start to his 2024 season before an injury cut it short, is firmly entrenched as one of the team’s starting edge rushers and is expected to fully recover for the 2025 season. However, the situation behind him is more uncertain. Za’Darius Smith, who is 33, may not return, and even if he does, he’ll be a free agent next year. Therefore, the Lions need to find a long-term solution opposite Hutchinson, along with strengthening their depth.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport proposed a trade that would thrill Lions fans. He suggested that Detroit trade for Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, offering a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.
The Lions’ pass rush significantly faltered when Hutchinson was sidelined last year, and with the team in a strong position to contend for a Super Bowl, now is the time to strike. Hendrickson and Hutchinson could form a devastating edge-rushing duo, and with ample salary-cap space, the Lions could afford to extend Hendrickson’s contract.
Davenport’s proposal is compelling—if the Lions have the chance to land a top-tier edge rusher like Hendrickson, fresh off a season where he led the NFL in sacks, they should not hesitate.
However, it’s unclear if the Bengals would be willing to entertain such a deal. Bengals director of player personnel, Duke Tobin, has expressed a desire to retain Hendrickson, who is entering the final year of his contract. But Tobin is not eager to pay Hendrickson top-of-the-market money, saying the team is aware of his deserving a pay raise and an extension but that the two sides still need to agree on terms.
“If he has earned a pay raise and an extension, he has,” Tobin explained. “But whether we agree on what that looks like, that’s to be determined. We can’t have guys at the top of the payroll in every position… We’ll do what we feel is right and try to re-sign Trey.”
While the Bengals are open to keeping Hendrickson if they can agree on an extension, their reluctance to pay top-dollar could lead Hendrickson to demand a trade, something he reportedly did last year when the two sides couldn’t reach a deal.
Whether the trade proposal Davenport suggests is enough to land Hendrickson remains to be seen, but if it is, Lions general manager Brad Holmes should jump at the opportunity. This is the kind of move a Super Bowl contender like the Lions should make.
Pairing Hendrickson with Hutchinson would elevate the Lions’ defense, putting them in a stronger position to win a Super Bowl. The Lions also have the financial flexibility to extend Hendrickson, as they have $46.5 million in cap space entering the offseason, according to Over the Cap.