Throughout the offseason, the Detroit Lions have been linked to several big-name edge rushers, though most of those hopes faded as top free agents signed elsewhere and others inked lucrative extensions with their current teams.

But there remains one elite defender who has yet to resolve his future—Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. With no extension currently in place, the star edge rusher continues to be a regular subject of trade chatter.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently revisited Hendrickson’s situation in a post-draft piece, suggesting the Lions as a team to watch should the Bengals explore trade offers. For Detroit fans, that kind of acquisition would be nothing short of ideal, especially as they wait for the team to bolster its pass rush.

Hendrickson’s recent production speaks for itself: back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks and Pro Bowl honors, along with a 2024 campaign in which he led all edge rushers with 83 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. That performance earned him All-Pro recognition and a runner-up finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

The challenge? The financial side of things.

Hendrickson is due $21 million in the final year of his current deal, with an $18.7 million impact on the salary cap. He’s also seeking a new contract—one that won’t come cheap, especially in a market that has recently been redefined by Maxx Crosby ($35.5M/year) and Myles Garrett ($40M/year).

Considering Detroit couldn’t come to terms with Za’Darius Smith, affording Hendrickson would be a significant stretch.

Although his talent could fill a key void as the Lions eye a Super Bowl run, the odds of them pulling off a deal for Hendrickson remain slim due to the financial hurdles.