The writing is on the wall that this was Trey Hendrickson’s last year in Cincinnati. So what now?
The Bengals pass rush has been an issue over the last few seasons, even with Hendrickson putting up 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024. Now they have to replace him, but can they?
The answer is no. To paraphrase the movie Moneyball. There isn’t another Trey Hendrickson out there, and if there was, we couldn’t afford him. But just like in Moneyball, maybe we can build him.
The Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks had an incredible defense, but they didn’t have anyone with double-digit sacks.
Their leading sack artist was a three-way tie between Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, and Uchenna Nwosu, all of whom had 7. Demarcus Lawrence wasn’t far behind with 6.
I think 7 sacks is a very reasonable expectation for Myles Murphy next season. So can they find 3 more players to get in that neighborhood?
The obvious answer is Shemar Stewart. Of course, 7 sacks is more than he has had in his college and pro career combined at this point, so that is a large projection. But if he can stay healthy and be there for the entire offseason program, maybe he can get close. Let’s say 5.
Still, I don’t want to rely on that. So the Bengals should look to add three players who are capable of hitting that golden number of 7 in free agency and the draft. At least one of whom needs to be on the interior.
For example, maybe you add Arnold Ebiketie and Vonn Miller.
Ebikitie just turned 27. The 2022 second-rounder had 6 sacks as a rotational player for the Falcons last season and is just entering the prime of his career.
Miller is 10 years older, but still productive, with 9 sacks last season. Miller’s expertise could also benefit his teammates, as the young defensive front could learn a lot from the seasoned vet.
The duo of Ebiketie and Miller will probably cost less than Jaelan Phillips, freeing up money to be spent elsewhere on the defense.
Murphy, Stewart, Ebiketie, and Miller would make for an excellent platoon of edge rushers.
Inside, B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins are probably good for 3 sacks apiece, but the Bengals need their Larry Ogunjobi to bring a little bit more juice.
John Franklin-Myers is out there but stands to make some serious coin. However, adding a Peter Woods or a Caleb Banks in the draft could do the trick.
So let’s say you make these moves. Maybe you get 7 sacks from Murphy, 6 each from Ebikitie and Miller, 5 from Stewart, maybe 5 more from Woods/Banks, and 2 or 3 a piece from Hill, Jenkins, and T.J. Slaton. Thanks a predictive unit. It won’t cost you too much, and the depth means that one injury won’t hamper your whole defense.
That’s the best way for the Bengals to get it done in a post-Trey Cincinnati.
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