The Detroit Lions saw another elite pass rusher leave the market in 2026. NFL free agency.
According to numerous reports early Wednesday, March 11, the Baltimore Ravens have reached an agreement with free-agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year deal worth up to $112 million. Hendrickson’s contract includes $60 million in completely guaranteed compensation and a $20 million signing bonus.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions were not one of the primary suitors for Hendrickson.
According to sources, the Colts, Bills, Buccaneers, Commanders, and Eagles were all interested in Trey Hendrickson’s free agency before the All-Pro reached an agreement with the Ravens.
Hendrickson sought a long-term contract with a contender.
The Lions, who finished 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs after two consecutive years in the playoffs, do not presently have a starting-caliber pass rusher on the 2026 roster to compliment Aidan Hutchinson. It is still their greatest priority this offseason, together with an offensive tackle. They have the 17th overall selection in the first round of the NFL Draft, which will take place April 23-25.
Lions coach Dan Campbell and Hendrickson worked together in New Orleans for four years (2017-20), with Campbell serving as a senior assistant to coach Sean Payton. The Saints selected Hendrickson in the third round of the 2017 draught from Florida Atlantic.
However, it appears that this previous relationship did not encourage the Lions to focus in on Hendrickson.
On day three of the league’s legal negotiating window, Hendrickson was the top pass rusher available in free agency. Agreements can become official starting Wednesday at 4 p. m. ET, when the 2026 league year begins.
Other notables include Cam Jordan (Saints), Al-Quadin Muhammad (Lions), Jadeveon Clowney (Dallas Cowboys), and A. J. Epenesa (Buffalo Bills).
Earlier on Wednesday morning, the Lions generated $32 million in salary flexibility by changing quarterback Jared Goff’s deal.
The Ravens-Hendrickson agreement occurs less than 24 hours after the Ravens withdrew from their deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders and Ravens reached an agreement on March 6 to trade Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round selections from the Ravens, contingent on a physical examination.
According to reports, Crosby arrived in Baltimore on Tuesday for his physical, but the Ravens were unhappy with the information they discovered after reviewing it.
Baltimore had doubts regarding Crosby’s knee’s long-term prognosis and believed the risk was too significant. The Ravens zeroed in on Hendrickson after parting ways with Crosby.
Now, Hendrickson will face his old team twice a year in AFC North action. Hendrickson played five seasons with the Bengals, totaling 61 sacks. After three years of tough negotiations, the four-time Pro Bowler and Cincinnati’s front management failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract.
Hendrickson and the Bengals agreed to a one-year salary raise prior to the 2025 season. Hendrickson then only played seven games for Cincinnati before incurring a core muscle injury that required season-ending surgery.
