Best Trade Destinations for Trey Hendrickson
Are the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson actually prepped for a split, or can the two parties work it out?
One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been the Trey Hendrickson saga. After extending star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, fans believed that the NFL’s back-to-back sack leader was next in line. In typical Bengals fashion, however, the team has been unable to keep Hendrickson in the long-term plans. While the sticking point was seemingly reached last weekend, it’s worth noting the timeline of events before we look at possible solutions.
How We Got Here
Trey Hendrickson was part of the historic New Orleans Saints 2017 draft haul that helped give the franchise new life in Drew Brees’ final years. Following a breakout season (13.5 sacks) in the last year of his rookie deal, Hendrickson would be a Saints cap casualty, eventually hitting unrestricted free agency.
Cincinnati signed Hendrickson to a modest deal in the 2021 offseason, granting him $60 million over four seasons (2021-2024), with $16 million guaranteed at signing. Since joining the Bengals, Hendrickson has only had below 14 sacks in one season and has been named a Pro Bowler in all four campaigns. Last season (2024), Hendrickson was named an AP First Team All-Pro and was second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Initial contract disputes/concerns publicly began in 2023; Hendrickson wanted a long-term commitment from Cincinnati with only two seasons left on his deal. While nothing long-term was found, Cincinnati ultimately gave Hendrickson a one-year, $21 million extension to the end of his deal (Over the Cap), meaning Hendrickson would become a free agent following the 2025 season if no long-term deal was found.
No long-term extension has been found between Hendrickson and the Bengals to this point. Cincinnati essentially has had all of the 2024 season, the pre-draft months, the post-draft/spring period, and now the summer/training camp portion of the NFL calendar to find an amicable solution, and has failed to do so. Now, with Game 1 of the 2025 season less than three weeks away, the Bengals have publicly announced that they will listen to trade offers for the star pass rusher.
Possible Destinations for Hendrickson
If Cincinnati is serious about trading Hendrickson, every franchise in the NFL should at least take a look at the reigning sack leader. While the Bengals reported asking price is steep (2026 1st round pick + young defensive player, according to Dianna Russini), this will almost certainly not be the price of an actual trade. For reference, the Seahawks initially requested 2025 1st and 3rd round picks as a starting point for WR DK Metcalf, and ended up receiving a 2025 2nd round pick.
Assuming a trade will take a valuable draft pick, as well as the subsequent extension for Hendrickson being near the top of the market (his $21 million salary this season would place 12th among edge rushers), the list of teams that can trade for Hendrickson naturally decreases. However, some teams are more willing than others, and should be able to scrape together good trade packages in order to improve their pass rush this season.
New England Patriots
The team with the most available cap space this season will obviously take an interest in trading for a star. New England was one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, but with high investments in free agency on the defense, the Patriots are aiming to compete this season. Adding Hendrickson to a defensive front that already boasts talent like Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Keion White would go a long way toward bringing the league’s 29th-ranked defense (EPA/play) back toward the middle of the league.
The offer: New England’s 2026 2nd Round Pick, LB Marte Mapu
Carolina Panthers
When it was announced that the Bengals were actually listening to trade offers, three teams were said to have already been linked to such a deal. Unsurprisingly, Carolina was one of those teams. Boasting the worst defense in NFL history in terms of points per game allowed, the Panthers need an overhaul to the defense at every position. Despite spending heavily in free agency addressing their run defense (179.8 rush yards per game allowed in 2024), the pass rush still lacks juice. Hendrickson would immediately become the team’s best pressure-getter and could help bring the NFL’s worst defense closer to league-average.
The offer: Carolina’s 2026 3rd Round Pick, DL A’Shawn Robinson
Indianapolis Colts
Another of the aforementioned teams connected to a potential trade was the Indianapolis Colts. Trading for Hendrickson would give this unit a true difference-maker on the edge, one of the few things this unit lacks. Hendrickson would also reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, in a deal with the Colts. Knowing the scheme Anarumo runs, Hendrickson wouldn’t miss a beat stepping onto a new defense with just three weeks until the season starts.
The offer: Indianapolis’ 2026 3rd Round Pick, DB JuJu Brents
Green Bay Packers
A potential dark horse in the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes, Green Bay is a team that would love his services. Green Bay has not been afraid to make offseason trades, sending star WR Davante Adams and franchise great QB Aaron Rodgers away in recent years. Despite immense draft capital spent on the defensive front, the unit still lacks a proven star on the edge. Bringing in Trey Hendrickson would help this defense reach its potential and make the Packers one of the top contenders in the NFC.
The offer: Green Bay’s 2026 4th Round Pick, WR Dontayvion Wicks, WR/DB Bo Melton
Cincinnati Bengals
The defense that needs Trey Hendrickson the most is the team that he’s currently on. While it’s been a long negotiation period, the Bengals brass needs to acquiesce to Hendrickson’s wishes and give him a fair contract extension. With the recent hang-up in discussions being guaranteed money, the Bengals may be able to give more guarantees as a show of good faith, proving that they want Hendrickson to stay. Waiting until this point to trade Hendrickson, when the Bengals almost certainly would have received more compensation in a pre-draft trade, may indicate that the team doesn’t want him playing for another squad at all. If this is the case, just give him what he deserves and be done with it.
The offer: A 3-year, $105 million, $90 million guaranteed contract extension. This would place Hendrickson 5th among edge rushers on an average annual value (AAV) basis
Dark Horse Candidates:
Washington Commanders - among the leaders in future cap space, have experience trading and absorbing big contracts in the past 12 months
Los Angeles Chargers - 8th in effective cap space, still need a difference maker along the defensive line
Philadelphia Eagles - never count out Howie Roseman to add impact players via trade