Context:

Trey Hendrickson, a top pass-rusher unhappy with his current team, the Cincinnati Bengals, might be moving to the Detroit Lions. The Lions are in need of a strong defensive player to support Aidan Hutchinson, especially after not sufficiently addressing their pass rush needs in the recent offseason. With over $40 million in salary cap space, the Lions have the financial ability to acquire Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year. The Lions' previous release of Za'Darius Smith and minimal investment in rookie pass rushers highlight their pressing need for Hendrickson's talents. Although acquiring Hendrickson will be expensive, his addition could significantly improve the Lions' chances of reaching the Super Bowl, as no other Lions defender had more than four sacks last year while Hendrickson achieved 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons.

Dive Deeper:

• Trey Hendrickson, one of the NFL's best pass-rushers, is considering leaving the Cincinnati Bengals due to ongoing dissatisfaction, making the Detroit Lions a potential new team for him.

• The Lions are in dire need of enhancing their defensive lineup, particularly to support star player Aidan Hutchinson, following a lackluster offseason where they released Za'Darius Smith and did not prioritize pass rushers in the draft.

• Detroit has over $40 million in salary cap space, positioning them well to acquire Hendrickson, who had an impressive 2024 season with 17.5 sacks, 46 tackles, and 36 quarterback hits, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

• Hendrickson's issues with the Bengals stem from contract disagreements, which means the Lions would need to negotiate an extension to secure his long-term presence on their roster.

• Despite the high acquisition and extension costs, Hendrickson could be the key to strengthening the Lions' defensive strategy and significantly boosting their prospects for a Super Bowl run, given his consistent performance compared to other players on the team.

• One of the best pass-rushers in the league, Trey Hendrickson, is unhappy with his current team, the Cincinnati Bengals. 

• The Hendrickson-Bengals saga has been going on for over a year now, and the defender revealed that things aren't going well on Monday by releasing a fiery statement bashing the organization.

• It seems inevitable that the talented edge-rusher will be playing on a new team in 2025, and the Detroit Lions could be one of the best fits for Hendrickson.

• On paper, the Lions have one of the best rosters in the league, but adding a competent running mate for Aidan Hutchinson remains a pressing need. 

• Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports identified the Lions as a logical landing spot and offered the following analysis:

• The Lions addressed their offensive line early in the 2025 NFL Draft, also adding wide receiver depth. One area that went curiously overlooked: pass rusher, despite the team desperately needing the since-departed Za'Darius Smith to step in as an Aidan Hutchinson replacement last season. With more than $40 million in 2025 salary cap space still available, they could be a prime landing spot for a proven talent.

• The Lions didn't sufficiently address the pass rush this offseason and, in fact, they actually subtracted from it by releasing Za'Darius Smith.

• Marcus Davenport was re-signed, but the defender played in just two games last season. In the draft, the Lions didn't address the position until the sixth round, so it's probably not wise to expect big production from the rookie. 

• That means the team could be forced to entertain the trade market for an upgrade. It's not often a player like Hendrickson becomes available, so the Lions could jump at the chance to add the veteran. 

• In 2024, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. The veteran also added 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and a whopping 36 quarterback hits, while earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection. 

• Hendrickson's gripe with the Bengals is contract-related, so the Lions would have to ensure an extension could be reached with the defender. Hendrickson is currently slated to earn $21 million in 2025 before entering free agency next offseason. 

• Hendrickson will be costly to acquire and extend, but he could be the missing piece that gets the Lions to the Super Bowl.

• No defender on the Lions other than Hutchinson had more than four sacks last year, and Hendrickson has had 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons.

• MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS

• One Lions draft pick in particular shined at rookie minicamp

• Chiefs predicted to wreck Lions free-agent reunion with $11 million castoff

• Blockbuster Lions trade pitch lands $21 million All-Pro edge rusher to bolster Super Bowl chances