The Detroit Lions have spent the offseason celebrating the return of Aidan Hutchinson, their franchise cornerstone at edge rusher. Coming off a devastating broken leg that ended his 2024 campaign prematurely, Hutchinson has rehabbed aggressively, looked “really good” during OTAs, and appears primed to reclaim the dominant role he held before injury Yet amid all the optimism swirling around the Motor City, a glaring question remains: Who will stand opposite Hutchinson and consistently keep up the pressure from Day One?
Detroit’s depth chart may be full of names—Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Al‑Quadin Muhammad, sixth‑round rookie Ahmed Hassanein, practice squad candidates—but none offer the proven veteran presence the Lions sorely need to hit their Super Bowl ceiling (
Davenport, re-signed on a one-year deal, flashed glimpses of the potential that earned him a first-round pedigree—especially early in 2024—but his season ended in Week 3 due to a torn tricep, capping off a career derailed by injuries . He’s undeniably talented, but his ability to stay on the field for all 17 games remains a major concern
Paschal has made meaningful strides, though his sack totals—just five in three seasons—signal that, while reliable, he lacks that game-changing burst . Muhammad, a midseason addition last year, racked up solid pressures and logged three sacks in 10 games; he’s back in 2025, but his role is best viewed as complementary—helping, not transforming . Hassanein intrigues as a developmental high-upside pick, but expecting a rookie sixth-rounder to anchor a pass rush rotation in year one is unrealistic
The overarching sentiment is summed up best by ESPN’s Mina Kimes: “They still don’t have that guy opposite Aidan Hutchinson.” She pointed not just to the edge spot, but systemic flaws in run defense and how that impacts the pass rush. Without stout early-down play, you don’t get into third-and-longs with ease—and without third-and-longs, even Hutchinson can’t carry the load
This isn’t a revelation. When Hutchinson went down, the Lions defense noticeably wilted—allowing what had been a relatively strong unit to fade without its heartbeat. Detroit finished 23rd in sacks for the 2024 regular season and ranked 31st in pass defense . Interior linemen like Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike stepped up admirably, but the effect of lesser-recognized personnel cannot replace a premier edge presence
Front office strategy since then has been cautious. They brought Davenport back, re-signed Muhammad, and promoted from within. GM Brad Holmes emphasized the depth and culture on the defensive line—noting he’s “excited” but refusing to lock out further moves . Indeed, Lions brass looks open to adding talent through the draft, late signings, or trade. Still, that elusive “that guy”—a proven, dominant, veteran edge—remains conspicuously missing.
Enter the idea of bringing in a proven veteran like Trey Hendrickson. An expert performer in both Miami and New Orleans, he carried significant pass‑rush pressure in recent seasons. And with the Bengals in contract dispute, he may be available. A recent op‑ed bluntly stated: “The Detroit Lions must trade for Trey Hendrickson to fix pass rush and elevate Super Bowl chances.” That article describes him as “a proven force who could transform the Lions’ defense overnight
Where would Hendrickson fit alongside Hutchinson? The synergy could be electric: one elite, young, versatile and ascending; the other seasoned, savvy, and proficient. Hutchinson’s contract negotiations—likely setting edge rusher dollar benchmarks in the $28–35 million per year range—may make Hendrickson’s contract more palatable . Land him opposite Hutch, and suddenly third‑down pressure becomes a consistent certainty.
Alternatively, the market’s offering up veterans like Za’Darius Smith. Released by Detroit earlier in free agency, Smith still offers double-digit sack upside. Some analysts believe a trade for a mid-round pick would give Dallas a rotational boost in return for proven production . Though on the wrong side of 30, his pedigree remains impressive and his cap hit reasonable.
What about a draft-based fix? Detroit’s draft board is lit with promising edge talent: Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Marshall’s Mike Green, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, and Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton headline the possibilities . Yet the reality is that first-round prospects take time. Even if a stud like Green drops to 28, he’d be a rookie contributing—but not transforming—piece in year one .
So the smart play is simple: bring in a veteran now and supplement with youth later. That’s exactly what success-minded contenders do. Look at top defenses—Buffalo’s brought in Von Miller and Leonard Floyd; Philadelphia keeps trading draft capital to add Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick. Teams that sacrifice the present for the future rarely win championships. Detroit is in a window—they must press the accelerator.
Should the Lions act aggressively? Absolutely. The window is now: Hutchinson healthy, offensive momentum at an all-time high, and divisional rivals rebuilding. Failing to reinforce the edge is asking for a collapse reminiscent of last year’s midseason fade. And there’s widespread agreement that it’s more than a want—it’s a need
The cost? A confrontational contract, a mid‑round pick or two, cap space—small prices for Super Bowl potential. Imagine a pass rush duo of Hutchinson and Hendrickson—opposing tackles unable to help in the run game, quarterbacks hurried, scrambles bottled up, blitz chances dialed back. It’s the difference between respect in late-game scenarios and rolling over. And that’s what separates contenders from pretenders.
Critics will argue this approach is too aggressive given Davenport’s return, Muhammad’s flashes, and rookie enthusiasm. But depth is not dominance. You can’t rely on bounce-back health or hope two mid-level veterans eclipse Hutchinson’s absence again. That worked once—against Dallas—but it didn’t last .
Edge rusher is the only position where Detroit is making clear progress without securing elite performance. Hutchinson gives them the anchor. What they lack is a coequal partner who can demand attention and draw double-teams of their own . That’s not a luxury—it’s a strategic imperative.
Make no mistake: Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell know this. Holmes signaled he’s “not done” with defensive line work Campbell, an emotional leader, echoed that the Lions are hungry for more physical, aggressive edge play . The public narrative is set. Now it’s time to move on it.
Make the trade. Sign the free agent. Whether it’s Hendrickson, Smith, or another veteran, bring him in. Pairing with Hutchinson doesn’t just fill a gap—it reshapes game planning. Opponents must respect both sides, freeing up coverage, allowing blitzes, tightening space, and creating turnovers. That dynamic defense is the hallmark of championship teams.
Detroit’s offensive renaissance is clear. The defense has promise—especially with Hutchinson’s return. But promise without punch is heartbreak. If the Lions truly want to “win now,” it’s time to signal that with action. That means embracing that veteran edge rusher, not tweaking around the edges.
Detroit’s defense won’t just need Hutchinson—it’ll need his partner in crime. Edge presence isn’t an accessory—it’s foundational. Drafts and youth help, but veterans win rings.
Hey Lions: that old edge rusher is Hutchinson’s missing piece. Time to call him up.
