The Detroit Lions have made a seismic move, trading their No. 28 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals for superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. After a 15-2 season that showcased their potential but left them short in the playoffs, GM Brad Holmes isn’t messing around. Hendrickson, with 77 career sacks and consecutive 17.5-sack seasons, instantly transforms Detroit’s defensive front into one of the league’s most fearsome units.
This deal was born from necessity. Aidan Hutchinson’s devastating leg injury in Week 6 of 2024—a tibia and fibula fracture—exposed the Lions’ lack of edge depth, despite his pre-injury dominance (7.5 sacks in five games). While Hutchinson’s rehab is on track for a 2025 return, Detroit couldn’t bank on him alone. Hendrickson, a proven All-Pro, fills that gap with a relentless motor and a knack for chaos, evidenced by his league-leading 83 pressures last season.
The trade’s roots trace back to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who floated the idea of Detroit taking a draft-day swing. Cincinnati, mired in contract talks with Hendrickson that never materialized, opted to cash in rather than extend the 30-year-old. For the Lions, surrendering a late first-rounder for a known commodity beats the uncertainty of a rookie pass rusher—and Holmes knows it.
Pairing Hendrickson with Hutchinson could be a game-changer. Imagine Hutchinson, back at full strength, drawing double teams while Hendrickson exploits one-on-ones—potentially a combined 30-sack duo. Detroit’s defense, which faltered without Hutch last year, now has a twin-tower threat that could overwhelm NFC foes like the Packers or 49ers.
Financially, it’s a bold play. With $43-46 million in cap space, the Lions can absorb Hendrickson’s current deal and likely extend him—think $31-35 million annually—to lock him in through their Super Bowl window. It’s a hefty price, but a championship justifies it, and Detroit’s offense, led by Jared Goff, already has the firepower to match.
The cost wasn’t light. Losing No. 28 stings for a team that could’ve drafted depth at corner or offensive line. But Holmes prioritized impact over potential, betting that Hendrickson’s prime years align with Detroit’s “win-now” ethos post-15-2. Fans on Reddit’s r/detroitlions agree: “Depth’s nice, but stars win titles.”
