At 3-4, the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals believe they can make some noise in a weaker AFC this year. That’s why they are insistent that they aren’t sellers at the looming trade deadline—at least
not in terms of trading Trey Hendrickson, per reports.
FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer reported this morning that the Dallas Cowboys came calling about Hendrickson, but the Bengals weren’t interested in making a deal. Dallas also inquired about the 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders about Maxx Crosby, who similarly eschewed those discussions.
Hendrickson has become one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL since joining the Bengals back in 2021. He has amassed 61 sacks in that time (including four already this season), 163 quarterback hits, and has been nominated to the Pro Bowl every year since coming to Cincinnati via free agency.
Unfortunately, the past couple of offseasons for Hendrickson have been frustrating, as he has tried to get the Bengals to pony up a multi-year deal. Cincinnati did give him a pay raise for 2025, but his future beyond this season is cloudy.
It’s in this lack of a long-term deal that makes other teams come sniffing around for an opportunity to swing a trade for him. The Bengals appear to once again be sticking to their guns on a player which they’ve made a stance.
Dallas is in the market for defensive help after it dealt Micah Parsons to the Packers shortly before the season commenced. It’s in that haul that the Cowboys think they can get an impact player and keep their own wobbly playoff hopes alive at 3-3-1.
It’s not believed the Bengals are willing to trade Hendrickson, but these next two games before Cincinnati’s bye against the Jets and Bears, respectively, could further shape the team’s stance on being buyers or sellers with the looming deadline.
