Trey Hendrickson, a Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher, is becoming an increasingly plausible trade candidate as his prolonged contract issue becomes one of the most talked-about topics in the NFL.
Given their need for pass-rushing depth, many fans and pundits are asking if the Detroit Lions would be a natural trading partner. After allowing Za’Darius Smith leave in free agency, Detroit has failed to fill the vacancy.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports and others have suggested that the Lions might be a good fit for Hendrickson, although Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer dismissed the idea when asked about a potential trade in his May 14 mailbag.
“I like the idea, but I’d say no, because whatever you pay for Trey Hendrickson becomes the floor for a megadeal for star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson,” Breer wrote, adding, “You’d be talking about $70-million-plus per year sunk into two players at one position—one of them in his 30s—on a roster with a lot of young talent to pay.” “I am not sure that would work.”
A Closer Look at Hendrickson’s Current Contract Status
Hendrickson’s present situation with the Bengals is murky. He has expressed displeasure with his deal and wanted a trade, but the Bengals have been hesitant to sell him, setting a high asking price, according to reports.
Hendrickson is aiming to get a new contract worth roughly $40 million per year, which would place him in line with recent agreements for top-tier pass rushers like as Myles Garrett.
Thus, gaining the Bengals’ advantage would be costly not only in terms of compensation, but also in draft capital. Given the related expenditures, the Lions may find it difficult to justify such a move. Given that Hutchinson will soon be eligible for a Brinks Truck-type extension, committing to another high-priced edge rusher could put a burden on the team’s finances.
That’s not to suggest Detroit won’t sign another pass rusher – that may happen in free agency.
“Last year, they added Za’Darius Smith at the trade deadline,” he said. “I could certainly see another move like that down the line.”
More on Why the Detroit Lions Probably Won’t Trade for Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson
Investing extensively in two top edge rushers may not be the way Detroit wants to take, especially given the possible expenses. Hutch is the cornerstone of the Lions’ defense, and his extension must be emphasized.
Allocating a big amount of the wage cap to two players at the same position will reduce resources available for other vital areas such as the offensive line and secondary.
In terms of performance, Hendrickson has been a formidable opponent. In 2024, he had a league-high 17.5 sacks (he also had 17.5 sacks in 2023), along with 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Hendrickson would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to any defensive line, but his age (30) and Detroit’s preference for younger players over elderly veterans make him an unlikely trade target.
The Bengals’ steadfast refusal to deal Hendrickson, despite his trade request, complicates the matter. We’ll see how it plays out, but Breer’s suggestion of maybe adding a more affordable vet to assist Hutch appears to be the way they’ll proceed.
