lt's no secret that 2024 sack leader Trey Hendrickson is at odds with the Cincinnati Bengals over the matter of his new contract—or lack thereof, that is.
After posting 17.5 sacks for the second straight season, the four-time Pro Bowler is looking for a lucrative extension, as his current contract is set to expire following the upcoming 2025 campaign. And in an attempt to prove a point after negotiations broke down, Hendrickson skipped Cincy's mandatory minicamp last month.
But while talks between the two sides have reportedly resumed, there have been plenty of rumors swirling that the Bengals could be open to trade talks. Naturally, the Green Bay Packers have been named as a potential landing spot, given the team's glaring need to add an edge rusher opposite Rashan Gary.
Green Bay, of course, wouldn't be the only team vying to acquire Hendrickson's services if he becomes available. And if a prediction from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton comes to fruition, the 30-year-old will ultimately land with the worst possible team the Packers and Cheeseheads everywhere could imagine, that being none other than the reigning NFC North champion Detroit Lions.
Can you imagine Trey Hendrickson and a healthy Aidan Hutchinson on the same line? I know Jordan Love doesn't want to think about the possibility, nor would any other quarterback. But Moton seems to believe this deal could go down.
B/R predicts the Lions will send multiple draft picks to the Bengals to acquire Trey Hendrickson
Here's a little of what Moton had to say on the matter:
"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," Moton writes.
"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 Packers were also knocked out of the postseason early, taking a 22-10 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round. And while they've added some pieces this offseason to improve the roster, they're still predicted by most to finish behind the Lions in the NFC North.
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And if Detroit does indeed end up adding Hendrickson, it'll only be that much tougher for Green Bay to win the division.
If Moton believes the Lions could get him by sending a second-rounder and a fifth-rounder to the Bengals, perhaps the Packers will need to sweeten the deal, which could even include parting ways with a first-round pick. They'd then, of course, also have to offer up the extension Hendrickson is seeking.
But if Green Bay genuinely believes he's the final piece of the puzzle that gets this franchise back to the Super Bowl, it could all be worth it.
