The Detroit Lions' defensive line has been one of the greatest one-man shows in the league for quite some time, as Aidan Hutchinson has put together some of the most impressive performances of anyone in the NFC despite a lack of elite talent around him.
The lack of solid complements to Hutchinson (outside of Al-Quadin Muhammad emerging this season) has led the Lions to snoop around the trade market, specifically as it pertains to one of the NFL's premier sack artists in Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. Could Brad Holmes get a deal done?
The latest developments make the answer to that question a resounding no, as the Lions have now agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $180 million that makes the former No. 2 overall pick the highest-paid pass rusher in football not named Micah Parsons.
Unless the Lions are looking at Hendrickson as purely a rental piece, a trade seems less likely than ever. Detroit can't afford to give Hutchinson a contract like this and bring in someone of Hendrickson's caliber to play alongside him. Well, the thought of that pairing was fun while it lasted.
Lions officially out of Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes after Aidan Hutchinson deal
Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season, is not only in need of a new contract that could make the Lions almost financially insolvent, but he is also dealing with a hip injury that is not going to make him a very attractive proposition in a hypothetical trade.
Hutchinson has recorded six sacks this season, which is extremely solid and encouraging production for someone coming off a major injury. The Muhammad breakout and Hutchinson's own tremendous power have led to him once again anchoring a Lions defense fresh off losing Aaron Glenn.
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The Lions may indeed look to bring in some extra pass rushers next to Hutchinson, but given all of the money that needs to be handed out, it looks like Brad Holmes may be better off going for more reserved additions that fill specific roles rather than impactful starters who change the financial and schematic calculus of the defense.
Hendrickson and Hutchinson together would have been a duo as dominant as they are alliterative, but the Lions knew that locking up No. 97 for the future was a more consequential move than bringing in the Bengals star, and Holmes managed to lock in his guy for the foreseeable future.