The Chicago Bears have been active this offseason, but could they have one more splash move up their sleeve?
Hendrickson’s Uncertain Future in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson have had a turbulent offseason. Despite being a key part of their defense, contract extension talks have gone nowhere. As of now, there’s no resolution in sight. That uncertainty has fueled speculation: could the Bengals actually shop Hendrickson?
It’s a real possibility. If they do, they’ll likely seek significant draft capital in return for the 29 year old edge rusher.
Bears Among Several Interested Teams
On the latest episode of Bears Film Room, Sports Mockery’s Chicago Bears show, Jeff from DaBearsBlog (now operating under the SM umbrella) provided insight into how realistic a Hendrickson to Chicago scenario might be.
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According to Jeff, the Bears are just one of around 15 teams that would have interest in acquiring Hendrickson via trade. So while Chicago might be in the mix, they’d face plenty of competition.
Cap Space Maneuvers Could Help
The Bears have made moves to create flexibility, including the recent extension of offensive lineman Joe Thuney, which cleared $8 million in cap space. This type of cap management shows that the Bears could potentially make room for a high salary player like Hendrickson if the opportunity arose.
Timing Could Be Key
That said, Jeff believes that if Bears GM Ryan Poles were to make a move for Hendrickson, it would likely happen midseason—not now. Much would depend on how the team is performing at that point.
If the Bears are exceeding expectations and look like legitimate contenders in the NFC North, Hendrickson could be the kind of impact piece that puts them over the top.
Will It Happen?
Realistically, the odds of Hendrickson ending up in Chicago remain slim. But history shows that Ryan Poles is not afraid to make a bold move in-season. This situation is worth watching closely over the coming months.
Want More Insider Bears Talk?
For more behind the scenes insights from inside Halas Hall and detailed analysis of the Bears offseason, check out the full episode of Bears Film Room—available below or on YouTube.