I'll be honest: I've already closed the book on the Lions' offseason. It wasn't, uh, the most fun winter I can remember, and with actual football starting in, like, two weeks, now seems like as good a time as any to put free agency and the draft behind me.
But what if the best is yet to come?! What you might call 'delusion' or 'intense coping,' I call an opportunity. Historically speaking, the NFL loves a Labor Day weekend trade; the Lions have the perfect opportunity to change their entire last six months with one single move, and this week, Bleacher Report laid the groundwork. Trey Hendrickson, you will be a Lion if it's the last good thing the internet does.
The Trey Hendrickson-Lions trade chatter simply won't go away
"According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cincinnati Bengals resumed contract talks with Trey Hendrickson after the team wrapped up mandatory minicamp in June. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and said Hendrickson isn't looking to reset the edge-rusher market on an extension, but his demand could change. Following his first All-Pro season as the league leader in sacks, Hendrickson can push for at least $30 million annually on a new deal, which would make him one of the top-five highest-paid players at the position in terms of average annual salary. The Bengals may not feel comfortable paying a 30-year-old edge-rusher entering his age-31 season that amount of money on a multiyear deal. At the right price, they would likely entertain trade proposals. The Detroit Lions should offer a 2026 second-rounder and a 2026 fifth-rounder to go all-in on an attempt to make a deep playoff run after an early exit last season. Aidan Hutchinson is cleared to participate in football activities, but Detroit needs a reliable pass-rusher opposite him on the defensive line ... As Super Bowl contenders, the Lions should be aggressive in filling a glaring roster need."
What I love most about this is that there have been absolutely no new developments with either the Bengals or Trey Hendrickson – we're all just very bored and trying to will something interesting into existence. It would fit the whole 'team on the doorstep of Super Bowl contention takes one final huge swing' schtick that NFL teams love to try, so in that sense, I'm on board. It'd also distract everyone from the Isaac TeSlaa pick, which is maybe the most important part.
