NFL Trade Rumors: Teams 'Turned Off' by Bengals' Asking Price for Trey Hendrickson

The hold-up in a potential trade of superstar pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is reportedly a result of the Cincinnati Bengals' high asking price.

During an appearance Wednesday on Get Up, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano said interested teams have been "turned off" by the Bengals' price tag on the 30-year-old.

Amid his search for a new contract, Hendrickson was given permission to seek a trade last week. However, Graziano suggested it could be difficult to find a team both willing to sign Hendrickson to a new deal and part with premium assets in a trade.

Cincinnati entered the offseason in a difficult spot, as Hendrickson and superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase both desired new contracts, while wideout Tee Higgins was set to hit free agency.

The Bengals retained Higgins by placing the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year, but the Hendrickson and Chase situations remain unresolved.

While trading Hendrickson would give the Bengals some financial relief, he would also represent a massive loss since he is among the NFL's top sack artists.

In four seasons with the Bengals since departing the New Orleans Saints in free agency, Hendrickson has recorded 57 sacks, and he has earned four Pro Bowl selections during that time as well.

The 30-year-old veteran set a new career high with 17.5 sacks in 2023, and then he matched it last season, while also delivering 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and six passes defended.

As a result, Hendrickson was named a First Team All-Pro for the first time, and he finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

There was some thought entering the offseason that multiple high-end pass-rushers would potentially be available for trade, but that didn't come to fruition.

Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby signed new contracts to remain with the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively, leaving Hendrickson as the only impactful edge-rusher to be had.

Given the scarcity, it is possible the Bengals' asking price has gone up for Hendrickson, which is perhaps complicating matters even more.

Graziano named the Washington Commanders as a team with known interest in Hendrickson, which makes sense given that their leading sack-getter from last season, Dante Fowler Jr., is a free agent.

The Commanders also released accomplished defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, which suggests they may be more willing to pay up for Hendrickson than other teams given their clear and obvious need on the defensive front.

A trade is far from a lock, though, with Graziano noting that Hendrickson and the Bengals working something out for 2025 and beyond is a possibility.

Since the Bengals missed the playoffs last season with a 9-8 record and no player on the roster other than Hendrickson had more than five sacks, trading Hendrickson would create a hole that may be impossible to fill before the start of the 2025 season.