Trey Hendrickson Rumors: Browns, Jets, Vikings Linked to DE in Free Agency

Coming off an All-Pro season in 2020, defensive end Trey Hendrickson has no shortage of suitors in free agency.

Per NFL reporter Josina Anderson, the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings have shown interest in Hendrickson. Anderson later added the Cincinnati Bengals are in the mix as well.

Hendrickson spent the past four seasons with the New Orleans Saints after being a third-round draft pick out of Florida Atlantic in 2017. He was mostly used as a rotation piece in his first three years, recording 6.5 sacks in 30 games. 

When the Saints put Hendrickson in the starting lineup last season, his career took off. The 26-year-old set career-highs with 25 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 15 starts. 

It seems unlikely that a reunion with the Saints will happen since the team is $3.19 million over the cap at the start of free agency, per Spotrac.

The Jets have the most money available ($69.9 million) of the three teams reportedly interested in Hendrickson. Cleveland has $23 million, followed by the Vikings at $12.5 million. 

The Browns are likely looking for a second pass-rusher to pair with Myles Garrett. Olivier Vernon, who finished second on the team with nine sacks in 2020, is a free agent after spending one year with the team. 

Minnesota needs an impact edge-rusher after finishing 28th in the NFL with 23 sacks last season. Yannick Ngakoue, who was only with the team for six games before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens, led the Vikings with five sacks.