The Cincinnati Bengals have some major needs on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. While the cornerback and safety rooms might be important, there's another issue the team needs to address.
Trey Hendrickson is hitting free agency, and with the Bengals almost certainly set to let him walk, and getting uncertain production out of Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy, adding a pass rusher is a must this offseason.
Fortunately, ESPN predicts that a trade target, New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux, has a 70% chance of getting traded this offseason. The Bengals are one of the fits for the 2022 first-round pick, as he'd be a great Hendrickson replacement.
Bengals linked to Kayvon Thibodeaux as Trey Hendrickson replacement
The "Predicted chance of getting traded" for Thibodeaux comes in at 70% according to ESPN. With the Bengals being named alongside the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers among the "Potential team fits," a Thibodeaux trade could work for the Bengals.
Of course, trading for Thibodeaux won't come cheap, as the former first-round pick is under contract for the 2026 season at $14.75 million. But what about the cost it'd take to acquire him?
According to ESPN's Ben Solak, "But it's a loaded offseason for edge rushers in free agency, which might temper Thibodeaux's market."
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With Hendrickson expected to leave the Bengals this offseason, the pass rusher need is very apparent for the Bengals.
While he might not be the best pass rusher, the 2022 first-round pick had an 11.5 sack season in 2023, and in his four-years with the Giants, he has 23.5 sacks.
Thibodeaux not only would be a solid replacement for Hendrickson, but with his expected cheap price tag in a trade, he makes sense as a potential trade target for the Bengals this offseason.
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