The Detroit Lions’ Historic 2024 Season and the Bold Move That Could Change Their Future

A Season for the Ages The Detroit Lions had an incredible 2024 season—arguably the best in franchise history. For the first time ever, Detroit won 15 games, clinched back-to-back NFC North division titles, and secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The excitement in the Motor City was at an all-time high as fans believed this could be the year they finally made a Super Bowl run.

Injuries Derail Championship Hopes Despite their dominant regular season, injuries plagued the Lions when it mattered most. Detroit limped into the playoffs with the most injury-riddled defense in the NFL, headlined by the devastating loss of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. The depleted defense struggled, and the Lions ultimately fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, leaving fans heartbroken but hopeful for the future.

Reloading for Another Playoff Push With their championship window still open, the Lions wasted no time in reloading during NFL free agency. They made significant moves to bolster their roster, starting with the addition of cornerback D.J. Reed from the New York Jets on a three-year, $48 million contract. Compared to Carlton Davis III’s $60 million deal with the Patriots, this was a bargain signing.

Detroit also reinforced its secondary by bringing in Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox to add much-needed depth at cornerback. Other key signings included re-signing contributors like Derrick Barnes, Levi Onwuzurike, Dan Skipper, and Marcus Davenport, along with external additions like defensive tackle Roy Lopez.

A Blockbuster Trade Could Be on the Horizon With a strong free agency period setting the foundation, the Lions now have the flexibility to be aggressive in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they could also explore a trade to acquire a game-changing defensive piece before draft day. If Detroit makes the right move, it could reshape their defense and elevate them into true Super Bowl contention.

The Lions Should Consider Trading for Bengals Star Trey Hendrickson One bold move that could pay massive dividends for the Lions would be trading for Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Here’s what a potential trade package could look like:

• Lions Receive: Trey Hendrickson
• Bengals Receive: 2025 second-round pick (60th overall), 2026 third-round compensatory pick

Why Hendrickson Would Be a Game-Changer for Detroit Acquiring an elite edge rusher is never easy, and the Lions would have to give up significant draft capital to land Hendrickson. However, the move makes sense for both sides.

Hendrickson initially requested a trade during the 2024 season before retracting it. However, with his contract situation unresolved, the Bengals granted him permission to seek a trade on March 6th. The two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers, recording 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons. His ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks would be invaluable to Detroit’s defense.

The Challenges of Making This Trade Happen While acquiring Hendrickson would be a massive win, it’s not as simple as making an offer. The Lions would need to negotiate a lucrative contract extension with him before finalizing any trade. Given that the Bengals recently extended Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they might be hesitant to part with Hendrickson unless they receive a blockbuster offer.

The trade package proposed above is fair compensation for a player of Hendrickson’s caliber, but if Cincinnati holds firm on keeping him, Detroit may need to sweeten the deal with additional assets.

The Potential Impact on the Lions’ Defense Pairing Trey Hendrickson with Aidan Hutchinson would give the Lions one of the most formidable pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Opposing offenses already scheme to neutralize Hutchinson, but with Hendrickson on the other side, Detroit’s defensive front would be nearly impossible to contain. The duo could wreak havoc on quarterbacks, making life much easier for the Lions’ secondary.

Additionally, if the Lions were to acquire Hendrickson while keeping their first-round pick, they could still draft a young edge rusher to develop for the future. This move would allow them to maintain their “win now” mentality while also planning for long-term success.

A Risky but Exciting Proposition This trade may not be the most realistic scenario, given Cincinnati’s reluctance to part ways with Hendrickson. However, if the Lions could pull it off, it would be a franchise-altering move. The combination of Hutchinson and Hendrickson would give Detroit a dominant defensive line capable of leading them deep into the playoffs.

For a team hungry for its first Super Bowl appearance, taking a bold swing like this might just be the missing piece that propels them to NFL glory. The Lions have already proven they can win big games—now it’s time to go all in and build a defense that can carry them to a championship.