The Cincinnati Bengals cannot afford to pay the talent on the roster, which is why they permitted Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade. Originally joining the team as a free agent in 2021, the Florida Atlantic product has been one of the most dominant pass rushers over the past five seasons and remains productive despite being on the wrong side of 30. Last year, Hendrickson finished the season with a league-best 17.5 sacks and 36 quarterback hits while earning First-Team All-Pro honors and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
While he is still a great player, the Bengals are prioritizing extensions for younger, homegrown talents in wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Trey Hendrickson wants a raise of his own, and ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that multiple teams are interested in a trade for the Bengals star. However, while they’re willing to meet Hendrickson’s contract demands, they’re reportedly turned off by Cincinnati’s “ridiculous” asking price.
Teams are willing to pay Trey Hendrickson the contract that he desires but have found Cincinnati’s current asking price to be “ridiculous,” as one GM told me.
The Bengals can adjust as the offseason progresses, but right now, teams aren’t willing to meet their terms.
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
REPORT: Bengals Sabotaging Trey Hendrickson Trade Talks With “Ridiculous” Asking Price
Russini didn’t report on the specifics of Cincinnati’s asking price, or the teams that are reportedly interested. However, it’s safe to assume the Bengals will lower their asking price to facilitate a Trey Hendrickson trade. At the end of the day, Cincinnati does not have the money to pay Higgins, Chase, Hendrickson, and quarterback Joe Burrow, and the pass rusher is easily the most expendable member of the quartet. While he is a fantastic player, nobody is choosing a 31-year-old over young, homegrown talent.
The other teams in the league, however, should be aggressively pursuing Hendrickson. All 32 teams would love to have a player like him on the roster, but the following three make the most sense.
Possible Next Teams
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have been one of the league’s best teams over the past two seasons, but they’ve yet to make it to the Super Bowl. Following a 15-win 2024, the Lions went one-and-done against an upstart Washington Commanders team and lost both coordinators to head coaching positions. Now, head coach Dan Campbell must bring in more on-field talent to compensate for the coaching changes. Aidan Hutchinson will return in 2025, but this team needs another reliable edge rusher. If they trade with the Bengals for Trey Hendrickson, the Lions could have the league’s most dangerous pass-rushing duo.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are not traditional contenders, but they are on the rise. Quarterback Bryce Young came alive in the back half of the season, and this team could compete in a weak NFC South if Young carries his strong finish into 2025. However, winning a playoff game won’t happen without considerable improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Trey Hendrickson is perhaps the best defensive lineman available, and trading for him should nullify the effects of narrowly losing out on former Eagle Milton Williams.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers retained Khalil Mack but had to part ways with Joey Bosa. While injuries and an inflated cap number made Bosa’s release inevitable, Jim Harbaugh’s squad could still use another pass rusher. Trey Hendrickson is the perfect choice for the job, as Los Angeles should be all-in and needs a strong defense to slow down Patrick Mahomes, Bo Nix, and Geno Smith.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar – Imagn Images
The post REPORT: Bengals “Ridiculous” Demands Could Prevent Blockbuster Trade appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.