Top Three Trey Hendrickson Destinations As Bengals Mull Trade Offers

Cincinnati is listening to trade offers on the start defensive end, but where could he go?

Hendrickson requested a trade out of Cincinnati on Thursday. / Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

As Trey Hendrickson's hold-in in Cincinnati continues, the star defensive end's wish for a new contract may be on the horizon, but perhaps not in the way he intended.

After requesting—and being granted—permission to seek a trade from the organization this past March, the Bengals are now reportedly listening to offers for the four-time Pro Bowler.

Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, but is due $15.8 million in base salary in 2025. The team locked up wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on long-term deals earlier this offseason, which in turn makes an extension for the 30-year-old defender increasingly difficult.

While Tom Pelissero is reporting that a trade is not imminent, it sounds like Hendrickson could soon be on the move. Here are three teams that could (and should) trade for him:

Washington Commanders

Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders are ready to win now with budding star quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract and an experienced head coach in Dan Quinn.

Following their impressive run to the NFC championship in 2024, Washington kicked off its offseason with a major splash and traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. With the offense now in good shape, adding Hendrickson to their already solid defense that notched 43 sacks last season (11th in the NFL) could put them over the top.

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Commanders were expected to show interest in trading for Hendrickson in March. We'll see if they kick the tires once again.

Los Angeles Chargers

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers need to do everything in their power to bring in talent and make the most of quarterback Justin Herbert's Super Bowl window. They're failed to do so on offense, so why not on defense?

Enter: Trey Hendrickson.

L.A.'s defense allowed the fewest points per game last season (17.7) thanks to an elite secondary and a solid front. With Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack not getting any younger, however, trading for Hendrickson could be just the splash L.A. needs to begin Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era.

Detroit Lions

Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Even with Aidan Hutchinson set to return from his devastating lower leg injury in 2025, the Lions still need help on the edge.

Detroit finished last season with 36 total sacks—good for just 23rd in the NFL—and outside of Hutchinson, who went down in Week 6, no individual finished with more than four.

As seen by the Philadelphia Eagles in their Super Bowl LIX win, getting pressure on the opposing quarterback is paramount to success in the NFL. The Lions adding Hendrickson to their defensive line opposite their other star end would make life incredibly difficult for the offenses on their schedule.

After coming up just shy of a Super Bowl title with the Bengals in 2021, perhaps Hendrickson will have a chance to hoist a Lombardi in Honolulu blue.

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