Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals have been listed as a potential destination for Maxx Crosby
The Cincinnati Bengals disappointed in the 2025 season with a 6-11 record. That led to the team missing the postseason for the third consecutive season. Primarily, their issues occurred on defense as they allowed the third-most points in the NFL. It did not help that All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was limited to seven games as heunderwent core muscle surgery.
Unfortunately, Hendrickson had only one year remaining on his contract and he is now set to be a free agent. After previously trying to sign a long-term extension with the Bengals, the relationship appears to have run its course and Hendrickson could be on a new team in 2026. Now, Cincinnati must find a replacement if Hendrickson leaves, and fortunately the open market might feature one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals Listed as Potential Destination for Maxx Crosby
NFL writer Logan Ulrich detailed 10 potential destinations for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who reportedly wants to be traded. He listed Cincinnati as a potential destination as he wrote, “You don’t typically see the Bengals associated with blockbuster swings like this, but this past season started to expose some cracks in Cincinnati’s foundation with QB Joe Burrow. It marked the third year the Bengals and Burrow have missed the playoffs, which is not at all what the standard should be for a player of his caliber, even if his time missed to injuries in two of those years was a big factor in the team’s collective underperformance.
It’s not a red alert situation yet but there is smoke that Burrow could eventually want to force an exit if things don’timprove.
The Bengals have dedicated a ton of resources to the offense during Burrow’s career. It’s the defense that has fallen off the hardest over the past three seasons. That’s where most of Cincinnati’s focus will be this offseason as they look to rebuild the unit and do it fast. The top item on the list is probably going to be replacing Hendrickson, who seems on his way out after a year tainted by an ugly contract dispute.”
Regarding the potential fit, he added, “Crosby would be elated to play with Burrow, and he’d be the type of cornerstone player the Bengals could build the rest of the defense around.”
Reaction to Potential Trade
Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnel commented on the potential trade and wrote, “Crosby would cost quite a bit in a trade, likely costing at least one first round pick in return. Micah Parsons was dealt for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, but Parsons was also younger and more productive than Crosby at the time of the trade.
Either way, the idea makes a lot of sense. Crosby is one of the few pass rushers in the NFL who would provide the Bengals an upgrade over Hendrickson. The Raiders star has recorded double digit sacks in three of the last four seasons, with the only single digit sack season being one in which he missed five games.”
Crosby is also younger than Hendrickson, and would provide a different element to the Bengals defensive line. While Hendrickson is the more effective sack artist, Crosby has a more well-rounded game. Since joining the Bengals in 2020, Hendrickson has not surpassed 75% of the team’s defensive snaps in any season, as he is less effective on run downs. Meanwhile, Crosby has participated in 90% of the team’s defensive snaps when active in each of the past four seasons.