The Bengals have granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. Should they make the move?
The Cincinnati Bengals have allowed the defending NFL sack leader to seek a trade.
Amid his pursuit of a new contract, the Bengals have granted defensive end Trey Hendrickson permission to negotiate a deal with a new team, which the Bengals would then trade him to.
Now, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe says Hendrickson is getting significant interest around the league.
The Bengals have received quite a bit of interest in a potential trade for DE Trey Hendrickson, who has been given permission to speak with teams about a new contract, per source. Sounds like the possibility exists for a win-win outcome for both sides. @TheAthleticNFL
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 7, 2025
Hendrickson, who logged 17.5 sacks this past season, has one year remaining on his current contract, which is slated to pay him $15.8 million for the 2025 season and count towards $18.6 million against the Bengals’ cap.
Unless the Bengals can come to terms on an extension for wide receiver Tee Higgins, they will pay him $26.2 million the franchise tag. They also need to ink superstar receiver Ja’Marr Chase to an extension as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.
Thus, Hendrickson could be on the outs.
While he has been granted permission to seek a trade, it does not mean a deal is imminent.
The Los Angeles Rams allowed quarterback Matthew Stafford to seek a trade, and despite getting his desired contract offers from the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, the Rams and Stafford agreed to restructure his contract. Thus, the same could still happen with Hendrickson and the Bengals, or even an extension may be agreed upon instead of a restructured deal.
Should the Bengals trade Hendrickson? Or do what it takes to keep him around?
Voice your opinion in the poll below:
