Jared Goff's Detroit Lions Linked With $50 Million Bengals Star
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 26: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson 91 during the game against the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 26, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 26 Jets at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251026069
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 26: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson 91 during the game against the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 26, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 26 Jets at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251026069
Ahead of the 2026 season, the Detroit Lions are looking at multiple options to shore up their defense. The Lions could target Cincinnati Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, as he continues to faceissues with his contract.
Mike Moraitis of The Sporting News reported, “The expectation is that Hendrickson doesn’t want anything to do with Cincinnati after the team refused to pay him the contract he deserves in recent years. The Bengals do have the option of utilizing the franchise tag and then trading Hendrickson, but it remains to be seen if they’ll take that approach.”
Trey Hendrickson joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. He has been an elite edge rusher ever since, recording 17.5 sacks in 2024, the highest in the league. He is also a four-time Pro Bowler, for four straight seasons since 2021.
October 12, 2025: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson 91 leaves the NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. /CSM Green Bay United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251012_zma_c04_267 Copyright: xDarrenxLeex
October 12, 2025: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson 91 leaves the NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. /CSM Green Bay United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251012_zma_c04_267 Copyright: xDarrenxLeex
Lately, he has been having payment and contract issues with them, forcing the Bengals to bump up his salary in 2025 by $14 million, taking his salary up to $30 million.
The Detroit Lions are desperately looking for a partner for Aidan Hutchinson, and may look to Hendrickson to fill that gap. “Hendrickson would be the perfect all-in move for the Lions and we would have no issue with Detroit trading for him if that’s what it takes,” Moraitis added.
With free agency coming up for Hendrickson, Spotrac estimates his value to be at $50 million for two years. However, it's worthwhile to note that Hendrickson recently underwent a major hip surgery, which could fluctuate his value.
Christian Booher of Sports Illustrated thinks so, too. He reported, “There are several high-end defensive free agents in this year’s crop, and the Lions may be inclined to find their complementary piece to Aidan Hutchinson in free agency instead of the draft. Trey Hendrickson is the top free agent available, though his value may have dipped after an up-and-down 2025 season hampered by injury.”
Another option on the radar for the Lions
On the Lions’ hunt for their new edge rusher, they could also turn to Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby. He has been having off-field issues with the Raiders ever since they sidelined him due to his injury for the final two games of last season, with Crosby leaving the Raiders’ facility.
However, the deal could come at a high cost. Experts believe that it could be a similar structure to Micah Parsons’ move to the Green Bay Packers, which came at the cost of two draft picks and a player (Kenny Clark).
The Detroit Lions have an important choice to make - who will be the best edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson?
What is your take on the whole? Share with us in the comments!
Written by
Shyam Hari
Edited by
Joyita Das