Trey Hendrickson Trade Price Reportedly Unchanged by Bengals for 'Any' Deadline Deal

The Cincinnati Bengals are continuing to request a first-round pick in return for star edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini reported that teams are reaching out to the Bengals "about a number of their players" prior to Tuesday's trade deadline and that "prices remain high."

Prior to the season, the Bengals reportedly held out for a 2026 first-rounder and a "young defensive player" in a trade involving the four-time Pro Bowler.

Nothing spurs action like a ticking clock. Maybe a general manager gets desperate enough ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline and meets Cincy's asking price.

It's hard to see that happening when the Bengals when they've painted themselves into such a corner. NFL.com gives them just a four percent chance of reaching the playoffs after they fell to 3-6 on Sunday, and they're inching closer and closer to Hendrickson's free agency in the offseason.

The presence of the 2024 sack leader certainly isn't helping. The defense is allowing an NFL-high 426.6 yards per game, and the team is fresh off a spectacularly bad showing in Week 9 against the Chicago Bears.

Cincinnati gave up 576 yards and 47 points, and it was unable to protect a one-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Caleb Williams hit tight end Colston Loveland for a 58-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds on the clock.

▶️ Full Bears-Bengals Recap

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Hendrickson didn't play against Chicago, which played a role in what unfolded at Paycor Stadium. But this is a terrible defense regardless of whether he's on the field, and the unit is ruining the Bengals' postseason hopes.

Quite frankly, there isn't a compelling reason to keep Hendrickson through the deadline when there's increasingly little to play for in the short term.

Sure, the organization could apply the franchise tag to the 30-year-old in 2026. Looking at the state of the roster and the payroll, does it make sense to commit $30-plus million to one player?

Recouping whatever they can for Hendrickson is the Bengals' best move. Still insisting on a first-rounder will only make the optics worse if they ultimately get less than that.