BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Trey Hendrickson Joins Detroit Lions After Dominant 17.5-Sack Season
In a move that could reshape the landscape of the NFC, the Detroit Lions have reportedly acquired All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals in a blockbuster trade. Hendrickson, fresh off a monstrous 17.5-sack campaign in 2024 that earned him Pro Bowl honors and the prestigious Deacon Jones Award as the league’s top pass rusher, now joins a rising Lions defense with championship aspirations.
The deal, though not yet officially finalized, reportedly includes Detroit sending second-round picks in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts to Cincinnati in exchange for Hendrickson and a 2026 third-round pick. The move marks a bold step by Lions GM Brad Holmes, who has clearly signaled that Detroit is in “win-now” mode after back-to-back playoff appearances and an NFC Championship Game berth in the 2024 season.
For Hendrickson, the trade comes amid growing tension with the Bengals. Entering the final year of his contract, the 30-year-old defensive end is seeking a major extension—reportedly in the range of $32–35 million per year. With Cincinnati hesitant to commit that kind of money, especially with key players like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins also due for massive deals, the team gave Hendrickson permission to seek a trade.
The Lions, who already boast rising superstar Aidan Hutchinson on the edge, now add an elite bookend to their defensive front. Hendrickson’s relentless motor, explosive first step, and ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks make him a perfect complement to Hutchinson. The duo instantly becomes one of the most fearsome pass-rushing tandems in the NFL, giving Detroit a potential top-five defense in 2025.
This trade aligns with Detroit’s recent strategy of being aggressive yet calculated. After years of rebuilding, the team has surrounded young quarterback Jared Goff with weapons, shored up the offensive line, and steadily added talent to its defense. The Hendrickson trade could be the final piece that turns Detroit from a playoff threat into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, gains draft capital and flexibility as they prepare for a crucial next phase in their roster construction. While losing Hendrickson is a significant blow to their pass rush, the picks could be used to either find a younger replacement or move up in the draft for a high-impact defender.
Ultimately, this trade represents a win-win scenario—Hendrickson gets a shot at a bigger payday and a title run, the Lions supercharge their defense, and the Bengals maintain long-term flexibility. But in the short term, the move undeniably shifts power in the NFC. Detroit, once the NFL’s perennial underdog, is now making moves like a franchise with a clear Super Bowl window—and they just opened it wider.
