The Cleveland Browns are investigating a trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson led the league in sacks last season, registering 17.5. It was his second consecutive year with 17.5 sacks and he has 77 over his eight-year career.
The Bengals are shopping Hendrickson amid a contract dispute. He’s been a “hold-in” during training camp. Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract and wants to be compensated like one of the top pass-rushers in the league. His AFC peers — Browns star Myles Garrett and Steelers standout TJ Watt — both inked massive extensions this offseason.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Browns are one of three teams investigating a trade for Hendrickson.
“The Panthers, Browns and Colts are among the teams that have shown interest in trading for Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, per multiple sources,” Schultz wrote on X.
However, the Browns are not likely to be in the mix because the Bengals want to send Hendrickson out of the division.
“An in-division and in-state trade is highly unlikely and any deal will be tough regardless. Cincinnati is believed to want an impact player (or two) plus a draft pick in return,” Schultz said.
Schultz added that negotiations between Hendrickson and the Bengals continue to hit a wall, leading to them investigating a trade.
Hendrickson, Myles Garrett Would Give Browns Scary Combo
The Browns trading for Hendrickson would give the team two of the league’s best pass-rushers on the same defensive front. Garrett is a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, registering 14 or more sacks over the last four seasons.
Garrett had his own contract standoff this offseason, demanding a trade. However, he and the Browns were able to come to terms on a four-year extension worth $160 million. It briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“I look forward to having my best season for sure, and I think it’s trending that way,” Garrett said this offseason. “Been really good, and I think everything’s pointed in that direction.”
The Browns and Philadelphia Eagles recently faced off in joint practices. Garrett proved to be a handful for the highly touted offensive line of the Eagles.
“I’ll get a giggle,” Eagles All-Pro tackle Jordan Mailata said. “I’ll get a giggle out it. I’ll be honest. I’m just standing, like, ‘What the f***?’ Sorry, I did my job, and yet I still got beat.’
“There’s no one like Myles. You can’t apply what Myles does to anyone else. He’s just a freak.”
Browns Defense Looking Sharp in Preseason
The Browns’ defense has looked solid through camp and the team’s two preseason games. Cleveland limited Philadelphia to 88 total yards in a 22-13 win on Saturday. The Browns also forced a pair of turnovers, taking one back for a touchdown. And that was with many of the key pieces of the unit — like Garrett — sitting out.
Currently, Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright are competing for the starting spot opposite of Garrett on the defensive line. Julian Okwara, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Cameron Thomas will also be factors in the rotation.
“We have great competition at defensive end in particular. We have got a lot of guys that have started a lot of games in the NFL,” Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “All those guys are going to play in the NFL and it’s going to make us better.”
The Browns open their season on September 7 against the Bengals.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Browns Eyeing Trade for NFL Sack Leader to Pair With Myles Garrett appeared first on Heavy Sports.