Will the rich get richer ahead of the 2025 NFL season? The Philadelphia Eagles have always shown a willingness to avoid getting comfortable by wheeling and dealing.
Whenever there is a top trade candidate on the market, you can bet Howie Roseman is trying to get his fingerprints on it. Right now, Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is one of the most notable players on the trade block.
The Eagles haven't been linked to Hendrickson just yet, but that could change in an instant. Recently, NFL Analyst Marc Ross labeled the Eagles as a team he wants to see trade for Hendrickson before the start of the 2025 NFL season.
Why Would the Eagles Get Involved in a Hendrickson Deal?
"The Eagles dominated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl with a relentless pass rush, but Philadelphia has questions on that front heading into the 2025 campaign, given the loss of Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith's injury and the inherent need for young guys like Moro Ojomo (2023 seventh-round pick) and Jalyx Hunt (2024 third-rounder) to level up," Ross writes.
"General manager Howie Roseman hit big on the trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown in 2022. Trading for Hendrickson, who's in a contract standoff with the Bengals, could provide a similar effect for the defense. Plus, the Eagles just cleared more cap space by dealing Huff. This would be a case of the rich getting richer -- and a move I wouldn't put past Philly."
Roseman has always shown that he prioritizes stars in the trenches. A lot of the Eagles' success on defense in the past started up front, with the big fellas getting to the quarterback and disrupting throws more often than not. Philadelphia's front line on defense shined bright against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, and showed teams across the league just how much of a difference-maker a relentless pass rush can be.
The Eagles have formed a bit of a youth movement recently, but Hendrickson's timeline matches a squad that's looking to compete for a title now. The 30-year-old remains in his prime, being that he's been named a Pro Bowler for the past four seasons-with his first All-Pro nod coming in 2024.
Last year, Hendrickson appeared in 17 games for the Bengals. He registered a career-high 17.5 sacks, which is a number he notched one season before that. Last year's ability to get to nearly 18 sacks allowed Hendrickson to lead the entire NFL for the first time in his career.