The 2024 Cincinnati Bengals, who completed 9-8, is perhaps probably the most explosive non-playoff groups in current NFL historical past. Their offense ranked seventh in PFSN’s Offense+ rankings, and Joe Burrow led the league with 43 passing touchdowns.
However the Bengals’ protection allow them to down a number of instances all through the season. Trey Hendrickson was the lone vivid spot, however now Cincinnati is seeking to rebuild and has given its sack chief permission to hunt a commerce.
NFL Insider Expects Trey Hendrickson to Be Traded, Reveals Potential Suitor
The Bengals’ protection struggled final season, ending twenty fifth in each factors and yards allowed and twenty eighth in PFSN’s Protection+ metric for 2024. Cincinnati went 3-8 in one-score video games and 2-7 in opposition to playoff groups. Regardless of that, Hendrickson had the perfect season of his profession, incomes first-team All-Professional honors and ending second in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting.
He recorded 17.5 sacks, 46 complete tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 36 quarterback hits in 2024. Hendrickson initially signed with Cincinnati in 2021 after 4 years in New Orleans, agreeing to a four-year, $60 million free-agent deal. He later signed a one-year, $21 million extension in 2023, preserving him below contract by 2025.
Regardless of his success, it seems like Hendrickson has performed his final down for the Bengals. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the staff gave him permission to hunt a commerce, and NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the identical.
Rapoport additionally expects Cincinnati to discover a commerce companion, with the Indianapolis Colts rising as a possible touchdown spot.
“It’s headed for a cut up, and Trey Hendrickson was within the Bengals’ workplace at present, speaking to Bengals brass. They gave him permission to hunt a commerce, and I do count on him to get moved. There’s gonna be vital curiosity — there already has been — and I’d, after all, keep watch over all of the groups that want top-of-the-line cross rushers within the NFL.
“However among the many groups, the Indianapolis Colts — they’ve Lou Anarumo, his former defensive coordinator final 12 months with Cincinnati, fired and went to the Colts. They want an edge, and this one makes lots of sense.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Bengals and Trey Hendrickson are headed for a cut up. He has permission to hunt a commerce… pic.twitter.com/X0TInZPb8T
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2025
Indianapolis’ protection hasn’t proven a lot enchancment during the last three seasons below head coach Shane Steichen and really took a step again final 12 months. Including a well-recognized, extremely productive cross rusher like Hendrickson could be a logical transfer.
In the meantime, given Cincinnati’s defensive struggles in 2024, it’s powerful to see how buying and selling their finest defender will assist subsequent season. However with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each due for brand new offers, the Bengals appear to have made their selection on which key participant they’re keen to let stroll.
