The Washington Commanders' defense has been nothing short of abysmal in 2025. It's been a significant reason they've failed to reach the heights of their shockingly impressive 2024 NFC Championship game run. Addressing that side of the ball must be at the top of general manager Adam Peters' to-do list this offseason.
Washington has a glaring need and is armed with the sixth-most projected cap space in 2026. With that in mind, why not pony up for one of the NFL's premier pass rushers, Trey Hendrickson, if/when he becomes available?
Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals ended a well-chronicled months-long contractual stalemate this past offseason with a revised pact. However, no future years were added, so he remains slated for unrestricted free agency after this season — and an ideal target for the Commanders.
Luring Trey Hendrickson away from Bengals could change everything for Commanders' defense
Only T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett — the 2021 and 2023 NFL Defensive Players of the Year — have recorded more sacks than Hendrickson (74.5) since 2020. Last season, he nearly received the same prestigious honor they have, finishing second to Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II in voting. When's the last time the Commanders had a true game-wrecker like this?
Not often do we see a high-end edge defender of Hendrickson's caliber hit the open market, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN highlighted. Nevertheless, his relationship with the Bengals may be broken beyond repair, especially given the current state of affairs in Cincinnati. This allows a squad with the means and purpose, like Washington, to swoop in and acquire the four-time Pro Bowler.
"The Bengals have the option to franchise-tag Hendrickson at around $36 million. That's steep for a team in transition but could be a way to facilitate a sign-and-trade. Seven pass rushers make at least $34 million per year, and Hendrickson could become the next one."
Jeremy Fowler
With star quarterback Jayden Daniels still on a rookie deal for at least two more years and making pennies on the dollar, Washington must strike. This is their opportunity to splurge and surround him with as much talent as possible before he merits his own franchise-altering and presumably record-setting payday. Few fit the all-in mindset the Commanders should embrace better than Hendrickson.
Turning 31 in December, Hendrickson is both a building block and the missing piece to a contender. He's a one-man wrecking crew capable of single-handedly masking many of the Commanders' shortcomings and helping them return to prominence.
His knack for disrupting opposing passers and wreaking havoc in the backfield cannot be overstated.