Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report reported on Wednesday that the Cincinnati Bengals have turned off potential trade suitors with their high asking price for All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson was recently granted permission to seek a trade, and the Bengals have been trying to find him a new home ever since.
At 30, Hendrickson is coming off a season where he led the NFL in sacks and was in the top five in tackles for loss. He has been named to four consecutive Pro Bowls, was First Team All-Pro last year, and finished second in votes for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Bengals must trade Hendrickson because several players need new contracts, and they do not have the money to pay everyone. Hendrickson is by far the best available defensive end, and with Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby signing new deals, his price may be higher than ever.
While many teams have been scared off by the price, the New England Patriots should seize this opportunity. Despite significant spending in free agency, the Patriots have nine draft picks and still have some cap space left.
With Deatrich Wise gone, the only additions to the defensive line have been Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga. Both are solid players, but they are interior linemen. Since the Patriots were last in the league in sacks, generating pressure off the edges is necessary.
This is why trading for Hendrickson would be the perfect move. While other teams hesitate to give up a lot, the Patriots should be eager to part with a few picks and potentially a player or two to acquire one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
Coming off a season where he recorded 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, Hendrickson is a game-changer. He also played all 17 games for the second consecutive season. Hendrickson's availability, dominance, and impact are precisely what the Patriots need for their defensive line.
He stops the run, sacking the quarterback, and disrupts plays. Opposing quarterbacks must account for him on every snap, which can open up opportunities for other defenders to make plays.
The former third-round pick has extensive playoff experience, including a Super Bowl appearance. Hendrickson can bring leadership, experience, and knowledge to the Patriots' young defense.
Having made substantial defensive upgrades this offseason, the Patriots could cap off their work with a trade for one of the best players in the league. The Bengals need to move Hendrickson, so while the Patriots could wait for the price to drop, they should be ready to pay top dollar for top talent.
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This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM.