The New England Patriots have a clear need on its defense and its pass rush.
New England struggled to get after Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl, as the Patriots have been linked to drafting a pass rusher in the first round. Yet, New England could also look to land an impact pass rusher in free agency.
One of the top free agents available is Trey Hendrickson, but NFL analyst Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston urged the Patriots not to pursue him.
“Hendrickson is the No. 1 edge rusher set to become a free agent this spring, and the Patriots certainly could use a pass-rush upgrade,” Leger wrote in an article published on Wednesday. “That said, they may want to look elsewhere. The Cincinnati Bengals standout is 31 years old and coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. He underwent season-ending core muscle surgery after playing in only seven games.
“Assuming he isn't franchise tagged by Cincinnati, Hendrickson will be one of the most expensive players on the market. Perhaps he'd be worth every penny and return to 2023/2024 form, when he notched 17.5 sacks in back-to-back years, but signing him would be a high-risk move given his age and injury concerns.”
Although Hendrickson is the top pass rusher available, he will get a lucrative contract. And, as Leger noted, he is coming off an injury-filled season, and he’s only getting older.
Yet, when healthy, Hendrickson is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He recorded 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024 and is a four-time Pro Bowler. But, despite that, Leger doesn’t believe the rewards don’t outweigh the potential risks of signing him.
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