Bengals eye Hendrickson trade as talks stall

The Bengals plan to listen to trade offers for defensive end Trey Hendrickson while negotiations on a new deal stall, signaling a test for the defense and payroll.

Bengals Trade Talks Surround Hendrickson as Contract Talks Stall

The Bengals have resumed trade talks for defensive end Trey Hendrickson as contract negotiations stall, according to NFL Network reports. Cincinnati continues to set a high price, seeking an impact player or two plus a draft pick, and has named Hendrickson as a valuable asset in the right deal. Teams named as potential suitors include the Panthers, Browns and Colts, though moving Hendrickson within the division is unlikely.

Hendrickson is 30 and owed 16 million in 2025, and he has signaled a willingness to sit out regular season games without an extension. The Bengals offense carried the team in 2024 with quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver JaMarr Chase, but the defense was a clear weakness that contributed to the playoff miss. The team drafted Shemar Stewart to bolster the edge group, yet it remains unclear if that addition will satisfy the demand for an elite pass rush. The edge market is rising, which could push up any new deal.

Analysts remain skeptical that a trade will happen, with Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic casting doubt on the seriousness of the bid and suggesting that Cincinnati may not meet the price.

Time remains before Week 1, and the decision to trade Hendrickson or to extend him will reveal how the Bengals balance a high scoring offense with a vulnerable defense.

Trade talks reveal a broader NFL truth: teams must balance a championship window with payroll constraints. When a pass rush dominates, a team faces a choice between paying top dollar now or investing in roster depth to sustain performance. Cincinnati must decide if its defense can be anchored by youth and schematic tweaks or if it needs a proven veteran to push the unit forward.

If the market for edge rushers keeps rising, the price for Hendrickson could climb higher. A large extension would squeeze other moves and cap health, while selling him now risks creating a more fragile defense just as the offense enters a potential peak. The next few weeks will show if the front office prefers a win now path or a longer game plan that reshapes the team’s core identity.

Highlights

The choice between defense investment and short term fixes will shape Cincinnati's path this season.