Several big-name players are dealing with contract drama across the NFL as the start of the 2025 campaign draws near. One of those players is Cincinnati Bengals superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, and with reports indicating the team is exploring a potential trade for him, rumors linking him to the Chicago Bears have emerged once again.
Hendrickson led the league in sacks last season, and he has been angling for a new contract for well over a year now. While the Bengals want to keep him in town, they seem to believe they aren’t going to get a deal done, so with Hendrickson firmly on the trade market, the Bears could be among several teams looking to swing a deal for him.
Bears in the Mix for Potential Trey Hendrickson Trade
Hendrickson initially got his start with the New Orleans Saints after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After a slow start to his career, Hendrickson picked the perfect time to enjoy a breakout campaign, as he racked up 13.5 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract in 2020. That landed him a four-year, $60 million contract from the Bengals, and Hendrickson has only continued to improve for them.
Hendrickson has earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of his four seasons with Cincinnati, while also landing on the All-Pro First Team in 2024 after he racked up a league-leading 17.5 sacks. And yet, the Bengals haven’t been able to find common ground in their contract extension talks with Hendrickson, which has resulted in a trade becoming a real possibility for him.
The Bears have been lurking as a team in the Hendrickson sweepstakes should he become available, and it sounds like the time is now for them to make a move. While they weren’t listed among the top three suitors for his services, rumors have been linking them to the star pass rusher all offseason long, and there’s no doubt they will consider sending a trade offer to the Bengals.
“The Panthers, Browns and Colts are among the teams that have shown interest in trading for Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, per multiple sources,” Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported in a post on X. “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.”
Should the Bears Trade for Trey Hendrickson?
GettyTrey Hendrickson is reportedly on the trade block.
Any team could use a player like Hendrickson, who is relentless when it comes to his quest to bring down the quarterback. Considering how Montez Sweat led their team with only 5.5 sacks last season, it’s clear that the Bears are one of the teams that could benefit most from bringing Hendrickson to town.
Swinging a deal for Hendrickson is going to be tough, as Cincinnati is going to want a lot in return for him, and then they are going to have to immediately hand him a long-term contract. If Chicago is seriously looking to make a playoff push in 2025, there’s no better guy available to help elevate their team than Hendrickson.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears Trey Hendrickson Trade Rumors Reignite After Bengals Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.