The standoff continues between the Cincinnati Bengals and go rusher Trey Hendrickson.
And now, a commerce is changing into extra doubtless.
Over the weekend reviews surfaced that the Bengals are listening to commerce presents for Hendrickson, as the 2 sides stay far aside concerning a possible contract extension.
Listed here are the groups that take advantage of sense for his companies, even with the reported asking value.
Cross rush was an space of want for the Carolina Panthers heading into the 2025 offseason. Carolina generated strain on simply 16.2% of dropbacks final 12 months (placing them dead-last within the league) and hurried the opposing passer on simply 5.9% of dropbacks a season in the past (fifth-worst within the NFL).
The crew appeared to deal with that want over the spring, in each free company and the draft. They added Pat Jones II from Minnesota, whose seven sacks in 2024 (in only one begin) would have led the Panthers. Carolina additionally added a pair of draft picks in Princely Umanmielen within the third spherical, and Nic Scourton within the second.
However with Scourton having suffered a collapsed lung in apply final week, including Hendrickson would give this group a giant increase. Whereas Ejiro Evero bases out of a 3-4, and Hendrickson is extra of a 4-3 defensive finish, that isn’t a giant ask so far as changes go, and with sub-packages remaining prevalent in at this time’s NFL, this isn’t a serious concern.
After racking up 13.5 sacks for the New Orleans Saints in 2020, Hendrickson discovered his option to the Bengals in free company, the place his manufacturing flourished. He posted what was a profession excessive 14 sacks in 2021, led the Bengals with eight sacks in 2022, and posted 17.5 sacks in every of the previous two seasons.
All of that manufacturing got here underneath Lou Anarumo, who was fired by the Bengals after the 2024 marketing campaign.
However Anarumo discovered a brand new job … in Indianapolis with the Colts.
Making a reunion an intriguing choice.
Final 12 months the Detroit Lions have been decimated by accidents, with one of many largest being a season-ending damaged tibia and fibula suffered by standout go rusher Aidan Hutchinson in Week 6. The damage got here as Hutchinson had already tallied 7.5 sacks over the primary few weeks of the season.
By 12 months’s finish, that was nonetheless the main mark for the Lions.
Detroit targeted on the inside of the line of defense early within the 2025 NFL Draft, including Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State. However including a go rusher of Hendrickson’s caliber and pairing him with Hutchinson would give new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard fairly the tandem to work with.
The financials may very well be difficult. Whereas the Lions nonetheless have almost $50 million to work with in cap house for 2025, issues get more durable in 2026. Detroit is presently greater than $43 million over the cap for subsequent season, with an extension for Hutchinson one of many high objects on basic supervisor Brad Holmes’ to-do listing. Getting commerce, and extension, achieved for Hendrickson as effectively may be troublesome.
Myles Garrett is a one-man wrecking crew for the Cleveland Browns.
However what if he doesn’t must be?
When the reviews first surfaced that the Bengals have been listening to commerce presents for Hendrickson, the Browns have been listed together with the Panthers and the Colts as early favorites. Whereas including Hendrickson is sensible from a roster building standpoint, two massive hurdles are in place. First, the financials. Whereas Cleveland has $19 million obtainable in cap house for this season, they’re already over the cap for subsequent 12 months, which might make a contract extension for Hendrickson troublesome.
Second, and maybe even more durable to beat, is the truth that Cincinnati is unlikely to commerce Hendrickson not simply throughout the division, however throughout the state of Ohio.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers targeted on making life simpler for Jordan Love throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. They added vast receiver Matthew Golden within the first spherical, vast receiver Savion Williams within the third spherical, and proper sort out Anthony Belton within the second.
One other option to make life simpler for him? Shore up the go rush and provides him some quick fields to work with when the Packers offense takes over possession.
Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are a strong go dashing tandem, however including Hendrickson would give that group much more juice. Inexperienced Bay has over $31 million in obtainable cap house for this 12 months, and whereas cash will get tighter subsequent 12 months, the Packers might make this transfer.
The NFC West is shaping as much as be one of many extra fascinating divisions, and having a protection that may disrupt opposing passing video games may very well be a game-changer out west.
Which might make a transfer for Hendrickson by the Seahawks an enchanting deal for Seattle.
Head coach Mike Macdonald has veterans reminiscent of Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence in place to generate strain, however bringing in Hendrickson would give this group much more juice. It might additionally cut back simply how a lot the Seahawks have to depend on Macdonald’s scheme to generate strain, as Hendrickson would give Seattle an alternative choice that may win one-on-one battles.
