Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) pressures Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NFL Insider Says NFC Contender Could Be Eyeing Trade for Bengals Star Trey Hendrickson

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 8:49 AM ET

Could the Detroit Lions trade for Trey Hendrickson?

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer didn't dismiss the idea in his latest mailbag. The Lions have defensive line depth, but would love to put a high-end edge rusher on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson.

"I think it’s possible," Breer wrote about Hendrickson going to the Lions. "The Bengals want at least a second-round pick for him, and it’s a lot to ask, to give a 31-year-old pass rusher, regardless of how good he is, in excess of $30 million per year while forking over that type of draft capital to pry him away. The Detroit Lions are picking at the end of the round, so maybe the pick would be a little easier for them to part with, but I would question how it’d affect negotiations with Aidan Hutchinson."

The Bengals gave Hendrickson permission to seek a trade last week. The Lions are likely in the market for another pass rusher—especially with Hutchinson coming back from a serious injury.

Detroit has the 28th overall pick, the 60th overall pick, the 102nd pick and the 130th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They also have a sixth and two seventh round selections.

If they don't want to send their first rounder (No. 28), would they send their second (No. 60) and fourth rounders (No. 130) to Cincinnati for Hendrickson? Those are the discussions that have to be had—but one thing is certain: the Bengals aren't goin to give away their star pass rusher.