It's no secret that the Detroit Lions need to find some more difference-makers on the defensive side of the ball. After getting torched by the Washington Commanders in the playoffs and ranking 29th in opponent yards per play (5.8), it's obvious that improvements are necessary.
The Lions have the offensive foundation to remain among the best teams in the NFL but after losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, that unit stands to take a step back even with the return of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson from injury.
Hutchinson and All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph are great defenders, though they need help. Fortunately for Detroit, an opportunity has presented itself. Cincinnati Bengals superstar Trey Hendrickson is unhappy and wants a trade, and one new projected deal sees the Lions landing Hendrickson as the perfect complement to Hutchinson.
Lions Trade for Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson in Massive Projected Deal
This projected move would see the Lions acquiring Hendrickson from the Bengals in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-rounder and a 2027 fourth-round selection. It'd give Detroit that extra defensive superstar they desperately need while reloading Cincinnati with some draft capital in each of the next two drafts.
While the Bengals would certainly prefer to get a first-round pick, they're not operating from a position of strength. It sounds like a matter of when, not if, that Hendrickson gets traded, so the asking price can reasonably go down based on leverage.
Originally a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic, Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler who has at least 13.5 sacks in four of the last five seasons. He notched a whopping 17.5 in each of the last two years and would instantly give the Lions perhaps the NFL's best defensive line.
Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone has already stoked the flames of trade rumors, and the Bengals have given Hendrickson permission to seek a move. He wants a new contract, so general manager Brad Holmes would need to work out those details, but this is the kind of high-upside trade that could lead to a Super Bowl.
If there's any room for a deal, Holmes needs to be on the phone immediately.