The situation between the Cincinnati Bengals and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is still ongoing.
Now, the possibility of a trade seems more imminent.
This weekend, there were reports that the Bengals were considering offers for Hendrickson because both sides are struggling to agree on contract extensions.
One team that seems to be a natural fit for him, despite the rumored asking price, is the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers needed help with their pass rush as they enter the 2025 offseason, having generated pressure on only 16.2% of dropbacks last season, which was the worst in the league.
They did make some improvements during the offseason, acquiring defensive end Pat Jones II from Minnesota, who led the team with seven sacks last year.
They also drafted Princess Uman Milen in the third round and Knick Schoolton in the second round.
However, bringing in Hendrickson would significantly enhance their pass rush since Schoolton recently suffered a collapsed lung. Though Ejiro Evero typically runs a 3-4 defense and Hendrickson is accustomed to a 4-3 scheme, this shouldn’t pose too many issues given the prevalence of subpackages in the NFL today.
Hendrickson initially made a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints, recording 13.5 sacks in 2020, and eventually signed with the Bengals. He had a career-high of 14 sacks in 2021, led Cincinnati with eight sacks in 2022, and consistently performed well over the last two seasons.
His success came under a coaching regime that was let go by the Bengals after the 2024 season.
Despite this, the former coach secured a new position with the Colts.
This reunion could be an appealing option.
Last season, the Detroit Lions faced a wave of injuries, highlighted by standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffering a season-ending broken tibia in week six, even though he had already racked up 7.5 sacks by then.
This had a significant impact on the team’s performance.
In order to address their defensive line, Detroit picked up Ty Lake Williams from Ohio early in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, acquiring a pass rusher of Hendrickson’s caliber could prove beneficial, especially when paired with Hutchinson under defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepherd’s strategy.
Finances, though, may complicate matters. The Lions have about $50 million in cap space for 2025, but the situation will likely get tricky in 2026 as they are projected to be over $43 million above the cap. Figuring out a deal for Hendrickson could be a challenge.
Miles Garrett, a well-known member of the Cleveland Browns defense, has also been mentioned in this context.
But could they really make another addition?
When it was first reported that the Bengals were entertaining offers for Hendrickson, the Browns were considered potential suitors, alongside the Panthers and Colts. Acquiring Hendrickson fits into their roster strategy, yet they face significant challenges. First, there’s the financial aspect. Cleveland has $19 million in cap space this season, but they’ll already be over the cap the following year, complicating any contract extension for Hendrickson.
Secondly, it seems unlikely that Cincinnati would want to trade Hendrickson within the state or the division.
The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, have been focusing on supporting quarterback Jordan Love through the 2025 NFL Draft. They selected wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams as well as right tackle Anthony Belton to bolster their offensive lineup.
One more way to ease his challenges? Enhance the pass rush to create easier opportunities for him to work with.
While Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness provide a strong pass-rushing duo, adding Hendrickson could elevate that even further. The Packers have over $31 million in cap space this year, but finances will need careful management next season, making such an acquisition possible.
The NFC West continues to grow into a competitive division, making it crucial for defenses to disrupt opponents’ passing games.
For the Seahawks, acquiring Hendrickson could be a strategic move.
Head coach Mike McDonald already has veterans like Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence, but bringing in Hendrickson would enhance their capabilities. It also lessens their dependency on McDonald’s scheme, allowing Hendrickson to excel in one-on-one matchups.
