ESPN's Aaron Schatz Proposes Trey Hendrickson Trade Option For Bengals This Offseason

The Bengals face a long list of financial decisions in the coming months.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 16 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The Bengals led 17-0 at halftime. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — ESPN contributor Aaron Schatz thinks the Bengals should trade Trey Hendrickson to build up their defense instead of extending him this offseason.

The 2024 NFL sack leader is rushing the passer as well as anyone in the NFL right now.

"Hendrickson is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL," Schatz wrote. "He led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and was second in the league in pass rush win rate among edge rushers. But he's going to be 31 years old next season, and one player does not make a defense. The Bengals ranked 27th in defensive DVOA despite Hendrickson's great season.

"The Bengals need to rebuild this defense with not just one great edge rusher, and they need a fresh start with new defensive coordinator Al Golden. They have just six picks in the upcoming draft and could use more. Sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Cincinnati will aim for deals with Hendrickson and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals should let another team give Hendrickson that extension and build up their draft capital by sending him elsewhere."

The Bengals can keep Hendrickson and still beef up that unit, but trading him and hitting with the ensuing assets could be a home run as well.

It's one of a few crossroads paths facing this team. Read more on their cap situation from Jake Liscow here.

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