Commanders potential trade target not happy at all with Bengals

Washington may have a golden opportunity to improve its pass rush with disgruntled All-Pro defensive end.

Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) runs onto the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders may have an unexpected opportunity to upgrade their pass rush following a recent development in Cincinnati.

The Commanders currently have Dorance Armstrong and Frankie Luvu as their most proven edge rushers, but the unit still lacks a dominant pass-rushing presence.

Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson has expressed public frustration with the Bengals over stalled contract talks, a situation that could open the door for a team like the Commanders to make a move. In a statement to ESPN, Hendrickson made it clear that contract talks with the Bengals had gone silent since the NFL Draft.

READ MORE: Commanders sign rookie camp tryout player to the 90-man roster

Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025

“Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating,” Hendrickson said. “I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”

Hendrickson also said that the offers presented to him “did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised,” despite his consistent performance.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

General Manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have said they have confidence in the current group of edge rushers. If the Commanders were to add someone from the outside, it would likely be a veteran free agent.

Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season and earned All-Pro honors, would instantly change the dynamic of the Commanders' front seven. The team has been aggressive this offseason in building around quarterback Jayden Daniels, and could see Hendrickson as a missing piece on defense.

If Cincinnati remains unresponsive, Washington may be in prime position to pounce on a potential trade for one of the league’s most productive pass rushers.

---

READ MORE: Commanders rookie wide receiver could compete for starter snaps

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders among top 3 teams in latest NFL rankings

• Commanders player named as one analyst's most anticipated debut of 2025

• Commanders WR opens up about Jayden Daniels and the 2025 season

• Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ mom opens up about his dating life