Trey Hendrickson Trade Rumors: Commanders Among Teams Interested in Bengals Star

The Washington Commanders have interest in Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who was granted permission to seek a trade after failed contract negotiations, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

The 30-year-old Hendrickson has amassed 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons, with his total leading the league in 2024. He's notched Pro Bowl honors each of the past four seasons and earned a first-team All-Pro selection in 2024.

It's no surprise that the Commanders are interested. Washington just tripled its win total from four to 12 and made its first NFC Championship Game since 1991 in year one of the Jayden Daniels era. Simply put, the Commanders need to strike and invest in the team while Daniels is still on a cap-friendly rookie contract.

Washington vastly improved from 2023 to 2024 on defense (32nd in scoring to 16th) but still has room to grow, as evidenced by a 55-23 loss in the NFC title game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

The Commanders also have some cap space to burn. The team is fifth in the league with $64.3 million in available room, per Over the Cap, so there's plenty of space to work with if the team wants to add Hendrickson to the roster.

However, it appears Washington will have competition, with the Atlanta Falcons being in the mix, per Schultz.

Atlanta arguably has a bigger need for Hendrickson after suffering its seventh straight losing season and finishing 23rd in scoring defense. In addition, no Falcon player had more than six sacks last season, so Atlanta sorely needs a top pass-rusher in the mix.

For now, Hendrickson remains a Bengal, with one season left on a four-year, $60 million deal. He has a $18.7 million cap number for 2025, per Over the Cap.

At this juncture, one can surmise that Hendrickson may have played his last down in Cincinnati. Blue-chip pass-rushers are invaluable, and teams already have interest.