Bengals Reportedly Listening to Trey Hendrickson Trade Offers amid Contract Rumors

The Cincinnati Bengals are now entertaining trade offers for defensive end Trey Hendrickson, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, with the two sides at an "impasse" in extension negotiations.

Hendrickson has been a hold-in during training camp amidst those contract talks.

According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts are among the teams who have shown early interest in trading for Hendrickson.

Rapoport added that any trade would "be expensive, likely with a young player and a future pick if possible" heading back to the Bengals.

Granted, it's possible that this is just the latest public negotiating tactic in this ordeal, and there's always the possibility that the two sides will eventually come to terms on an extension. This isn't the first time the Bengals have reportedly been willing to trade Hendrickson—in March, they granted him the right to seek out potential trade suitors.

That didn't lead to a trade at the time, so unless the Bengals have lowered their asking price, it's hard to imagine it leading to a trade now.

Hendrickson has been one of the best pass-rushers in the sport over the past five seasons, with 70.5 sacks in that time. He's registered 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons and is a true difference-maker off the edge.

But he's also 30 years old and seeking a lucrative extension. Both factors undoubtedly affect his trade value and complicate potential trade talks.

The best-case scenario for both sides is coming to an agreement on an extension. But the Bengals have pushed a huge chunk of their financial resources to the offensive side of the ball, where Joe Burrow (five years, $275 million), Ja'Marr Chase (four years, $161 million) and Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million) have been given massive deals. That has clearly limited what they are willing to offer Hendrickson.

So the stand-off continues. With the start of the 2025 season looming, a resolution would be welcomed in Cincinnati, whether that's a trade or an extension.