The Detroit Lions and their general manager, Brad Holmes, will aim to replenish their roster in the 2025 offseason after the team did not meet its Super Bowl goals in 2024.
Although the Lions have limited responsibilities on offense, the same cannot be said for their defense. The team might need to find a replacement for Carlton Davis, who is set to become a free agent, and Detroit must enhance its edge rush unit
Following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury with a broken tibia and fibula, the Lions struggled to generate a strong pass-rush, resulting in their elimination by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.
Za’Darius Smith excelled after being obtained through trade, but he is also 32 and in the last year of his contract. The Lions have re-signed Marcus Davenport for added depth and are now expected to seek a long-term replacement for Smith.
If the Lions aim to make a significant impact, Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey anticipates the team will acquire Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson through a trade.
“Aaron Glenn deserves a Nobel Prize for maintaining the Lions’ defense despite the fact that they were nearly a MASH unit due to injuries,” Bailey stated. As they enter this new era, the Lions must strive to form a formidable pass rush duo of Aidan Hutchinson and another standout player. With Hendrickson available for trade, and Cincinnati probably leaning towards dealing him to an NFC team, Detroit ought to make this a reality.
Hendrickson and the Bengals were in talks for an extension, but that seems to have faltered, as the team has allowed the four-time Pro Bowler to look for a trade.
“It has been a privilege and honor to represent Cincinnati during the past four years,” Hendrickson said to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I adore this city and institution.” “I am thankful for the opportunity to now investigate my choices.”
Hendrickson ranks among the top edge rushers in the NFL. He has recorded 17.5 sacks in both of the last two seasons and was the league leader in 2024. From 2020 onwards, just two players have recorded more sacks than the Bengals standout: T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett.
Incorporating Hendrickson would provide the Lions with one of the most daunting pass-rush pairs in the NFL, significantly aiding Detroit in their quest to reach a Super Bowl. They’d likewise be well-guarded against harm, provided they retain Smith as well.
In terms of compensation, acquiring Hendrickson will likely require at least a Day 2 selection. The Lions possess their second-round picks in 2025 and 2026, but their 2025 third-round pick was traded to the New York Jets in the Giovanni Manu transaction. To be completely honest, if the Lions must give up a first-round pick, we support it.
From that point, the Lions must provide Hendrickson with the extension he desires, which is likely to exceed $30 million each year. Detroit may need to make a sacrifice in the future to achieve this with the first-team All-Pro, but it’s a minor cost for someone who will enhance the defense.
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