The Cincinnati Bengals are welcoming the Chicago Bears to Cincinnati for a pivotal Week 9 matchup for both teams. Whoever wins will have their playoff hopes stay alive, while the loser will have a much tougher path back to playoff contention.
For the Bengals, the outcome of Week 9 could impact a lot more than just the playoff contention. A win or a loss could alter how the Bengals approach the trade deadline.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, a Bengals loss to the Bears in Week 9 could open the door to a Trey Hendrickson trade.
How Trey Hendrickson could be on the move after Bengals' Week 9 matchup vs. Bears
"Bengals have told teams they don't intend to trade Trey Hendrickson," Schefter reports. "But if the Bengals lose today to the Bears and drop to 3-6, there are some sources who have wondered if that might be enough to change Cincinnati's stance."
Bengals have told teams they don't intend to trade Trey Hendrickson. But if the Bengals lose today to the Bears and drop to 3-6, there are some sources who have wondered if that might be enough to change Cincinnati's stance. https://t.co/84NFvh7GjG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2025
All signs point to the All-Pro pass rusher staying in Cincinnati, but a loss to the Bears could open the door for teams to try and land Hendrickson.
It won't come cheap, as the Bengals will likely ask for more than a third-round pick. But if a team in need of pass-rusher help comes to the Bengals and presents a strong offer after a loss to the Bears, then the Bengals' front office might consider such a deal.
More: Was hit on Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson a cheap shot?
Schefter's report is speculation, but it's not a far-fetched outcome for the Bengals. Seeing Cincinnati move on from Hendrickson after the offseason trade rumors and contract drama isn't unlikely in the upcoming offseason.
But, moving him in the middle of the season would effectively be confirming to fans that the 2025 season is all but over. Granted, at 3-6, the Bengals would have a massive uphill battle to make the playoffs, and selling assets at the deadline wouldn't be surprising.
While there are no plans to move Hendrickson right now, a Week 9 loss to the Bears could change things for the Bengals. With the NFL deadline just a few days away, the outcome of Bears-Bengals in Week 9 could have massive ramifications on the NFL season.
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