Teams in need of a pass rush were given hope last week that potential deals for Trey Hendrickson were still conceivable. Hendrickson criticized the Bengals, implying that an extension is not as close as expected. While a trade from the Bengals seems unlikely, it must be considered again. It’s not the most likely outcome, but it should be considered.
Trey Hendrickson had a tremendous season, despite the Bengals’ defensive issues.
Hendrickson led the league in sacks, finishing with 17.5 for the second straight year.
It’s the kind of production that Atlanta fans have wanted for the better part of a decade. Adding this caliber of pass rusher would be well worth the investment, prompting an obvious question. \
What would it take to get Trey Hendrickson to Atlanta?
Given Hendrickson’s age and the expectation that any team trading for the outstanding defender will provide a hefty extension, the value is limited. The veteran will be thirty-one next season and should be granted a top-of-the-market contract by any side that was able to sign last year’s sack leader.
Two mid-round picks or Atlanta’s first-round pick from this year or next should be sufficient to complete the transaction. Again, any team that signs Hendrickson will be expected to offer an extension, lowering the Bengals’ trade value for their finest defense.
Having said that, the most likely outcome is that the Bengals find a way to close the deal while keeping their team together. Star quarterback Joe Burrow has been on an NBA-level tour to ensure the Bengals know what he expects them to perform. It’s a rare move from a franchise quarterback, and it’s certainly made the offseason more entertaining.
Already, the Bengals have fulfilled Burrow’s request by keeping Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the roster for the foreseeable future. Despite the new hitch in the road, the situation with Hendrickson is likely to conclude the same way.
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