The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have assembled what could be a dark-horse team in the NFC, especially thanks to a couple of notable additions on defense during the offseason. But for them to seriously contend for their third Super Bowl championship, they could use a little more help.
A few days ago, news broke that the Cincinnati Bengals were starting to listen to offers for Trey Hendrickson, their star veteran defensive end. A number of teams reportedly were showing interest in trading for the four-time Pro Bowler, and Buccaneers fans were undoubtedly intrigued by the possibility of their favorite team landing him.
A Sporting News contributor asked Fox Sports Buccaneers reporter Greg Auman on X (formerly Twitter) about what Tampa Bay would have to give up to land Handrickson. Auman bluntly responded that the team isn't trading for the 30-year-old.
The Bengals will almost surely ask for the sun and the moon in order to unload Hendrickson, who is heading into the final year of his contract. The only reason he could be on the move is that contract extension talks have gone nowhere.
He is coming off a sensational season during which he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and also finished with 36 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and six passes defended. He's the type of player who could almost single-handedly elevate a number of teams into the league's elite class.
The Bengals have finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs in both of the last two seasons. After giving out lucrative extensions to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, it will be hard for them to afford to extend another star such as Hendrickson.
Tampa Bay acquired pass-rushing linebacker Haason Reddick during the offseason. While he posted at least 11 sacks for four consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2023, the team will need some more pressure off the edges in order to truly enter the Super Bowl mix.
It finished 16th in points allowed, 26th in interceptions forced and 29th in passing yards given up during the 2024 season. While the Buccaneers' offense looks fairly explosive, defense is the key to winning championships, and their defense isn't looking outstanding at the moment.
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