Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson continues to be in a contract dispute with the team. Until the issue is resolved, Hendrickson will continue to be the subject of trade speculation. With that speculation, and with the need for extra help on the edge, the Detroit Lions will be linked to any potential trade discussion for Hendrickson. But is a trade actually feasible for the team?
Before getting into that, let’s discuss the hypothetical trade idea for Hendrickson to the Lions that was proposed by ESPN’s Ben Solak this week. Solak proposed Hendrickson and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Lions for a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick that can become a third.
Solak wrote: “Lions general manager Brad Holmes has acknowledged the fan base wants a secondary edge rusher far more than he does, but I imagine a player of Hendrickson’s caliber would change Holmes’ calculus slightly. Hendrickson isn’t the sort of run defender the Lions might prioritize, yet a pass-rush duo of Aidan Hutchinson and Hendrickson might be the scariest in the NFL.
“The Lions are still legitimate Super Bowl contenders and should behave as such with aggressive veteran trades. They have plenty of cap space to extend Hendrickson, which he would demand of an acquiring team.”
The Lions currently have $40 million in salary cap space for 2025, but are currently projected to be about $14 million over the cap for 2026, according to Spotrac. That can easily be addressed by restructuring contracts, including that of quarterback Jared Goff, for example. Goff is currently scheduled to make $55 million in base salary.
The Lions do have other players set for new contracts coming up and the money will start getting pretty high. Not the least of which is Detroit’s leading edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. In addition, safety Brian Branch is also due for an extension after this season. Tight end Sam LaPorta will also be coming up. All three have two years left on their rookie contracts — Hutchinson had his fifth-year option picked up, Branch and LaPorta were not eligible for fifth-year options.
