For the third straight year, the Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of what looks like a lost season. With star quarterback Joe Burrow possibly out for the season due to a turf toe injury, they have lost four games in a row, and they’re struggling mightily on both sides of the football.
Last week, they acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, but he likely won’t be of much help as the season moves on. On Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, he went 29 of 45 for 219 yards, and while he threw two touchdown passes and no interceptions, he’s 40 years of age and possesses too much wear and tear to be a major difference-maker.
The one specific pressing issue hanging over the Bengals is the future of star defensive end Trey Handrickson, who has been at odds with them for months. He asked to be traded during the offseason, and while the team increased his pay for this season, he is still rumored to be on his way out.
Bommer Esiason, the retired quarterback who led Cincinnati to two Super Bowl appearances in 1981 and 1988, told Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” that it is time to trade Hendrickson and get some value back for him.
"If he's healthy, I would trade him," Esiason said. "If you could get some quality draft picks back, 'cause that's how they're gonna have to rebuild their team. They got the offense. They've gotta make some key acquisitions in the draft, on defense, to go along with Shemar Stewart, and to see if they can rebuild that defense."
Hendrickson is off to a nice start this season with four sacks, eight quarterback hits and three tackles for loss through six games. He led the league in sacks last season while earning his fourth straight Pro Bowl nod and his first spot on the All-Pro First Team.
He will turn 31 years of age in early December, and after several years of excellent play, one could argue that he deserves a real shot at a Super Bowl championship. The Bengals got to the Super Bowl during the 2021 season, only to narrowly lose to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, the Rams’ house.
Since Hendrickson is in the last year of his contract, other teams may not give Cincinnati a lot back in terms of draft capital. But the team may end up being virtually forced to take what it can get for him, as the other realistic option may be to let him walk in the spring as a free agent. He would surely have many suitors at that time if the latter scenario plays out.
The NFL’s trade deadline is Nov. 4, which means there isn’t a ton of time for the Bengals to decide what to do with their defensive MVP.
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