The Detroit Lions haven't made any big swings - or even predictable swings - for extra help on the EDGE for Aidan Hutchinson this offseason. While they did shore up their defense after losing Carlton Davis III by signing D.J. Reed, they haven't gotten anyone to add to their attack alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Za'Darius Smith might be waiting in the wings, but another big name continues to pop up in trade rumors for the Lions - Cincinnati Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson. The 2024 sack leader reportedly started up new negotiation talks with the Bengals, but according to a new report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, those talks have once again gone nowhere.
"The Bengals & Trey Hendrickson are talking again but they're not any further along..
I think there's a disagreement over value & there's also a disagreement over the length of the deal..
They can't even find common ground on the length of the deal" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JGiDciRqnj— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 18, 2025
Schefter reports here that there's clearly still a gulf between Hendrickson's camp and what the Bengals wish to offer their best defender. That's a pretty interesting position for Cincinnati to be taking considering their defense is their biggest weakness, and potentially losing Hendrickson would set them back after getting two huge deals done this offseason to secure Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
It's hard to imagine that they'll relinquish Hendrickson, though, especially since it's been months since Hendrickson first requested a trade from the team. But, anything can happen in the NFL, and the Lions are definitely a team to monitor considering they have some draft capital to dangle in Cincinnati's face as proper compensation for the All-Pro defender.
Lions likely to land back in trade rumors involving Hendrickson
Hendrickson, who is not a truly serious target so far for this Lions front office, would add a ridiculous pop to Detroit's defensive line. With Hutchinson back and healthy, adding him would probably help to get them through the postseason and to the Super Bowl for the first time in the Jared Goff era.
He's just going to be too expensive for Detroit to even consider. They still have to think about an extension for Hutchinson, and they'll be working out a new deal with wide receiver Jameson Williams soon, as well. They also have a core to keep in tact, and they'll need major financial flexibility to accomplish that in a few seasons.
This situation is going to continue to get uglier and uglier as the Bengals continue to get raked over the coals due to their perceived frugality - first with their rookie Shemar Stewart, and now once again with Hendrickson.
