The Detroit Lions are going to have one heck of a time trying to replace the production lost following the season-ending injury to star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who was on his way to garnering Defensive Player of the Year consideration in his third season.
Names like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby have been floated around as the most ideal candidates, but neither player is expected to be available ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
But there is another elite edge rusher who has a chance to be available: Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson's status remains up in the air ahead of the deadline and was recently mentioned as a possible trade option for the Lions by CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin.
"The three-time Pro Bowler is a sack machine for an otherwise struggling Cincinnati Bengals defense, and yet he flirted with a trade request this offseason," Benjamin wrote. "Joe Burrow and Co. still have playoff aspirations at 3-5, but with guys like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins still without long-term deals, it might be time to sell high. The Detroit Lions may well be buyers. They look like the class of the NFC, but their defensive front could use added reinforcements with star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson sidelined."
Hendrickson would be just what the doctor ordered in Detroit. The three-time Pro Bowler is an elite edge rusher who has tallied double-digit sacks three times, including a career-best 17.5 in 2023. He has seven so far in 2024.
But the Bengals don't necessarily need to trade him. They are still in the hunt for the playoffs at 3-5, and Hendrickson has one more year left on his deal. To be quite frank, it wouldn't make sense for Cincinnati to deal him now.
That said, if the Bengals are willing to trade him, the Lions should be all over it. Granted, it'll cost quite a haul but there should be no price too high to pay for the caliber of edge rusher Hendrickson is in what is a Super-Bowl-or-bust season.
Not to mention, Hendrickson won't just be a rental and the Lions can pair him with Hutchinson in 2025 for what would be a ridiculously good pass-rush duo.
