Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Granted Permission to Seek Trade Amid Chase, Higgins Rumors

The Cincinnati Bengals will potentially part ways with one of the best defensive ends in the league this offseason.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals have permitted Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” Hendrickson said, per Schefter. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”

Hendrickson, who has been with the Bengals since 2021, has recorded 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons and led the NFL in sacks in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler also earned his first All-Pro nod and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.

Hendrickson is set to play the 2025 season on a one-year, $21 million contract that has a base salary of $15.8 million. Spotrac gives him a projected market value of $29.7 million per year.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Bengals permitted Hendrickson to seek a trade after he and Cincinnati failed to agree on an extension. One of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, plenty of teams will likely pursue Hendrickson and will be willing to give him a big contract.

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders are one of "several teams who would be interested in trading for" Hendrickson.

With Hendrickson potentially on his way out, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the Bengals are working on contracts for wide receiver duo Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Chase, who led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2024, is set to play the 2025 season on a fifth-year team option that will pay him a base salary of $21.816 million. At just 25 years old, Cincinnati will look to extend Chase before he hits free agency next offseason.

The Bengals placed their franchise tag on Higgins earlier this month for the second year in a row. The franchise tender would pay Higgins $26.2 million in 2025, but the team placed the tag on him "with the intent of continuing to work toward a long-term deal in Cincinnati."

The move is likely just an effort by Cincinnati to buy more time to negotiate a deal for Higgins without the threat of him leaving in free agency.

Had Higgins hit the open market, he would have been one of, if not the best free-agent receiver available. He recorded 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in just 12 games last year.

While moving on from Hendrickson would give the Bengals more financial flexibility to extend its star receiver pairing, it will also leave Cincinnati with plenty of work to do on defense.

The Bengals gave up the eighth-most yards per game (348.3) and the eighth-most points per game (25.5) in 2024. Things would likely only get worse without Hendrickson.