The Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly explored trading edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in their pursuit of a healthier financial outlook. The star is one of the game's best pass rushers, and thus a hot commodity, but the Bengals have continued to stall, lost between considering insufficient offers and holding out hope on a hometown discount.
It's no secret that Cincinnati wants a first-round pick for Hendrickson's services. That's an acceptable ask, but as he enters his age-31 season (and a new extension), actually receiving said pick seems improbable.
This is a front office that seems hellbent on standing true to their initial proposals. The team has franchise tagged receiver Tee Higgins and asked for "crazy" returns when others came calling. Star receiver Ja'Marr Chase is yet to be made the richest non-quarterback in football. Hendrickson, of course, doesn't seem close to a deal, either.
One Trey Hendrickson trade proposal, though, suggests a major shift for the Bengals' front office: a willingness to compromise.
"This one makes some sense. The Indianapolis Colts have to win now," Albert Breer wrote. "Their new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo came from Cincinnati. And they invested on the back end of the defense with Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum coming in. Indy should think about sending pick No. 45 to the Bengals for Hendrickson, who would be an instant difference-maker for them."
James Rapien of Bengals on SI added onto the proposal, suggesting No. 45, along with a swap of No. 14 and No. 17, to sweeten the deal for Cincinnati. Giving the Bengals the opportunity to snap a blue-chip prospect falling past their anticipated landing spots, as he noted, could be the difference in getting a trade across the finish line. It is similar to how the New York Jets acquired Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the 2023 NFL Draft.
What makes this endeavor possible is the shift in landing spot. The presumed destination for Hendrickson (and/or Higgins) is a Super Bowl contender with late-Round 1 picks to spare and a desire to go all-in. However, each of those teams are operating with a ton of leverage. They don't need to trade for Hendrickson, especially in a deep edge rusher class.
Related: Bears Blockbuster? Trade Prediction Sends Trey Hendrickson North
Pivoting to a team with less leverage, like the Colts, could swing negotiations in Cincinnati's favor. Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard has lost practically all of the goodwill he earned early in his tenure. Another losing season could be his last. While he can't guarantee his quarterbacks pan out, he can do his part to upgrade the defense to complement – if not make up for – the offense.
If Hendrickson wins the Colts an extra game or two, it could very well save Ballard's job – opening the door for a deal.
Getting a top-50 pick for a player the Bengals cannot afford can be twisted as a win for the front office, especially if the board falls favorably. If they can move up in the draft at the same time, more of the Cincinnati faithful might be willing to accept the consequences of the front office's procrastination.
Looking down the totem pole might be the answer to the Bengals' slow-developing trade market.
Related: Bengals and Ja'Marr Chase Reportedly 'Far Apart' in Contract Talks
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM.