Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
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Defensive end Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chicago Bears have several good options in front of them to address the pass-rush deficiency that plagued last year’s defense, and the team got more good news on that front Tuesday.
Trey Hendrickson’s time with the Cincinnati Bengals has likely drawn to a close after the team chose on March 2 not to apply the franchise tag to its four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.
Hendrickson is coming off a down season, marred by injury issues that cost him 10 games. However, he remains the No. 1 free agent on ESPN’s top-100 list as the new league year looms on March 11.
“Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge, with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down,” Matt Bowen of ESPN wrote on Tuesday. “In seven games last season, he had four sacks. His 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024 were league highs. Hendrickson would immediately upgrade just about any team’s defensive line.”
Perhaps Chicago’s primary need this offseason is an edge-rusher, even despite the unexpected retirement of center Drew Dalman on Tuesday as well as a knee injury that could sideline starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo until late next season.
Bears Can Make Competitive Offer to Trey Hendrickson, Still Land Him at Bargain Price
Trey Hendrickson
GettyCincinnati Bengals edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
The Bears don’t have the essentially unlimited salary cap space at their disposal this offseason like in recent years, but Hendrickson is potentially a bargain with an annual average salary projection in the $25 million range.
Spotrac currently calculates his market value at $51 million over a new two-year deal. Hendrickson is 31 years old and likely going to seek, and get, a third season on his next contract.
But even at $75-$78 million over three years with upwards of $50 million guaranteed, Hendrickson would come in significantly under the top of the market for edge-rushers across the NFL.
Micah Parsons reset that market last year when he inked a $186 million deal with the Green Bay Packers ($46.5 million annually and $120 million fully guaranteed).
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns came in at $40 million per season, while the Detroit Lions paid Aidan Hutchinson $45 million annually.
Hendrickson’s hip injury last year and subsequent surgery, combined with his age (he turns 32 in December), will prevent him from maxing out in the same range as his younger counterparts.
The considerable number of edge-rushers who are first-round prospects, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN currently predicts seven to come off the board in the first 32 picks, plus the sizable number of quality pass-rushers bound for free agency later this month should also keep Hendrickson’s numbers in check.
Bears Have Other Options if Trey Hendrickson Proves too Pricey
Maxx Crosby Bears Betting Odds Maxx Crosby Odds Bears Trade Maxx Crosby Trade
GettyLas Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby.
Chicago will have other opportunities, including one that popped up Tuesday involving a Day 2 pick in trade for Jonathan Greenard of the Minnesota Vikings.
A reunion with former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack, who is about to hit free agency at the age of 35, is also feasible on a one-year contract.
The Bears continue to remain a strong contender to trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby, but the Raiders are still holding the line that they won’t accept less than a Parsons-like trade package for the five-time Pro Bowler, which means two first-round picks and a quality player in return.
Las Vegas isn’t likely to get that from any team, and the Bears can find better value elsewhere, even via a potentially $75 million investment in a player over 30 years old such as Hendrickson.