NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport notes that even though the Bengals star pass-rusher has been granted permission to seek a trade, there is a multi-step process that needs to happen in order for it to actually be executed.
The news on Trey Hendrickson’s football future keeps heading in different directions. In case you need to be caught up, the latest is that Hendrickson has been granted permission to seek a trade and is exploring options. He also made a public appearance at an event in Cincinnati on Friday night, noting that Cincinnati is where he wants to be.
A number of teams have reportedly expressed interest in his services, but nothing concrete has been settled upon. Even if a trade partner truly steps up, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport notes that “a lot of things need to happen” for the star defensive end to be dealt elsewhere.
Speaking on the NFL Network program The Insiders on Saturday, Rapoport addressed the situation.
“My understanding here, guys, is that when Trey Hendrickson went to the Bengals with this saying, ‘I would like to be traded. I’d like to explore,’ the thought was that he could go for a first-round pick, he could go for a premium pick,” Rapoport said.
“But these veteran trades, just like the trade we told you about earlier in the show, with Geno Smith going for just a third, they’re never quite as much as you think they are because a lot of times they’re with older players. Trey Hendrickson is certainly an older player in the NFL. Sack leader, yes, for sure, but also wants a new contract.”
Rapoport finished the segment on Hendrickson with a poignant “A lot of things need to happen” for a Hendrickson trade to go through.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Bengals allowed Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, with the argument that if a trade brought back a premium pick it might be worth it. There is interest. But it could go either way. pic.twitter.com/jESPJfGuLI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2025
It’s assumed that the Bengals are looking for a premium pick(s) for Hendrickson, likely something in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Additionally, the Bengals’ brain trust isn’t unfamiliar with hardball negotiations with players, agents, and/or other teams.
There are many possible outcomes to the Hendrickson situation. On the optimistic side, Hendrickson may get a pulse on what other teams would offer him in a post-trade extension and then report back to the Bengals to attempt to get them to match.
Of course, a trade remains a possibility if those numbers Hendrickson hears from teams are nowhere near what the Bengals have offered him. This would be a tough pill to swallow, given the massive rebuild on the defense and Hendrickson’s outspoken desire to remain in Cincinnati, should the financials make sense.
And then there is the possibility of the Bengals not doling out what’s agreeable to Hendrickson, yet the trade net isn’t what they feel is fair, either. In that case, Cincinnati would hang on to Hendrickson for his last year under contract. This would lead to a rocky situation, with a holdout or distractions becoming possible.
This saga is far from over, and we’ll keep you posted on everything about Hendrickson here on Cincy Jungle.
