Trey Hendrickson wants a fresh start out of Cincy, and he'll have suitors. But don't anticipate the 49ers being one of them.
The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to trade requests. Heck, they just honored one not long ago after wide receiver Deebo Samuel asked to be moved, sending him to the Washington Commanders for a mere fifth-round draft pick.
Across the country, the Cincinnati Bengals are figuring out that trade requests are a common thing during this phase of the offseason right before the start of the NFL new year.
And they'll be hard-pressed to make things work out with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
The Thursday prior to the start of the league new year, NFL Network reported the 30-year-old pass-rusher requested a trade after failing to come to terms with Cincy on a new contract extension:
Trey Hendrickson is due $16 million in the final year of his contract and the sides have been unable to agree on an extension. There will be a lot of interest in what could be the rare #Bengals trade. https://t.co/u3vEqqwrGu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2025
Cincinnati has been stubborn with regard to both trades and extensions (see wide receiver Tee Higgins), but Hendrickson's dilemma could yet be another pillar in what's been a wild few days leading up to the start of free agency.
Of course, whenever a star player potentially becomes available, fans become interested.
As for Niners fans? Well, they should probably dampen whatever hopes they have of their team possibly acquiring Hendrickson.
All signs point to 49ers not jumping on Trey Hendrickson trade
Yes, San Francisco has a need for another pass-rusher to serve as a bookend with All-Pro Nick Bosa. With defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos potentially ticketed to be cap casualties this offseason, and no other depth pieces appearing as quality replacements, the 49ers have to figure out their pass rush in a serious way this offseason.
It helps explain why the Niners have been tied to the Los Angeles Chargers' recent release of Bosa's older brother, Joey Bosa.
The elder Bosa might make sense from both a brotherly perspective, particularly if the price is right.
Yet that wouldn't be the case with Hendrickson. And nearly everything San Francisco has said and done up to this point during the offseason has indicated as much.
The 49ers' newfound modus operandi has stressed getting both younger and cheaper, headlined by the Samuel trade and reinforced by both insider reports and comments by general manager John Lynch.
Sure, eyeing Hendrickson's 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons is enticing enough to any team in need of pass-rush help.
But, the veteran isn't young and wouldn't come cheap, especially if he's seeking a hefty extension the Niners would have to dish out in addition to what'd be a lofty draft-capital trade package to the Bengals.
So, for those envisioning a Hendrickson-to-San Francisco scenario, don't get your hopes up.
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