All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson (30) is caught in a tense deadlock with the Cincinnati Bengals over a contract extension. He’s set to make $15.8M base salary in 2025 with a cap hit near $18.7M (sportsnaut.com, sportscasting.com). Feeling undervalued after back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and watching teammates like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins receive huge extensions, Hendrickson reportedly declared he won’t play under his current deal (the-sun.com). As the Bengals refuse to budge, they’ve reluctantly allowed him to explore trade options (si.com).
Which Teams Are in the Mix?
Indianapolis Colts
ESPN analysts Jeremy Fowler and Seth Walder suggested a potential Hendrickson-to-Colts deal, citing a reunion with former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo and the Colts’ roughly $20M in cap space (cincyjungle.com). The hypothetical trade: Hendrickson for a 2026 2nd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick.
Washington Commanders
One ESPN scenario includes Hendrickson heading to Washington in exchange for rising DT Jer’Zhan Newton plus mid-round draft capital — a move that could upgrade Commanders’ pass rush (cincyjungle.com). Previously, Washington was seen as a potential landing spot due to their deep-pocketed approach .
Seattle Seahawks
Analysts, including Brock Huard, floated the idea Seattle might pursue Hendrickson for veteran edge depth, especially after recent OTA observations emphasized defensive reinforcement (fieldgulls.com).
Detroit Lions
Though frequently mentioned — including speculation from SI and Sportscasting — the Lions recently lost favor due to salary cap priorities around Aidan Hutchinson, making a deal unlikely (sportskeeda.com).
Why a Trade Isn’t Simple
Sources indicate the Bengals are demanding hefty returns — at least a first-round pick — and are philosophically reluctant to include Hendrickson in any deal (si.com). Complicating matters further, any incoming picks wouldn’t serve the team this year, making a mid-season trade less attractive . Meanwhile, Hendrickson is reportedly willing to hold outthrough training camp and potentially into Week 1 if terms remain unchanged .
What’s Next for Hendrickson & the Bengals?
- Extension? NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests both sides are “gaining ground” and may still reach a long-term deal (profootballnetwork.com). The Bengals likely prefer this route over a high-cost trade.
- Trade? If no agreement is reached, late summer could bring increased momentum for a move — but it’ll need to be at a price the Bengals consider acceptable, likely a first-rounder plus more .
- Holdout? Hendrickson appears ready to skip team activities without a new contract or a formal trade — a bold stance that could pressure both sides .
Final Thoughts
Trey Hendrickson’s contract standstill has sparked genuine trade interest — especially from AFC teams such as Indianapolis, Washington, and Seattle. But the Bengals’ stringent demands make any deal challenging. A resolution by early training camp will be crucial. Either he’ll stay in Cincinnati on a big new deal, or he’ll be on the move — but only for the right combination of draft reward and financial buy-in.
Let me know if you’d like a player-by-player analysis of potential landing spots or a deeper dive into specific trade scenarios!
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