Despite his production, Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson has yet to receive a new contract as he enters the final year of his deal. The Bengals' star has not taken the field during training camp, and reports recently emerged that Cincinnati is listening to trade offers. The Green Bay Packers were recently listed as a top landing spot for the four-time Pro Bowler.
Hendrickson has sat around and watched as Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and T.J. Watt took turns resetting the pass-rusher market this offseason. Meanwhile, he has also watched the Bengals hand out big-money extensions to wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Despite all of this, he has remained without a new deal as the regular season approaches. Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report suggested that the Packers could be a potential landing spot for the disgruntled star.
"Lukas Van Ness, who was a first-round pick in 2023, has not lived up to expectations with seven combined sacks through two seasons, and containing the explosive offenses of the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will require a better effort. There have also been some rumblings connecting Green Bay to Micah Parsons, although the Dallas Cowboys would likely be hesitant to trade him to another NFC team if they move him at all. The Bengals may be more eager to deal with the Packers since they are in the AFC."
Packers should go all-in and upgrade pass rush with Trey Hendrickson trade
Green Bay finished tied for eighth in the NFL with 45 sacks last season. However, it was a largely balanced effort as Rashan Gary led the team with 7.5 sacks. No other player on the roster had more than 5.0 sacks.
Meanwhile, Van Ness, who is listed atop the Packers depth chart lining up across from Gary, had just 3.0 sacks. The opportunity to add a premier player at the position to an already strong defense could be one that is too good for the Packers to pass up. Cincinnati is reportedly seeking a young player and a draft pick in return for Hendrickson.
Hendrickson has been among the best pass-rushers in the NFL since joining the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2021 season. He has appeared in 65 games, recording 155 total tackles, 104 solo tackles, 53 tackles for loss, 57.0 sacks, 112 quarterback hits, 11 forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended. He has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his four seasons with the franchise.
The third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft was named a first-team All-Pro and finished as the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up in 2024, after leading the league with 17.5 sacks -- marking his second consecutive season with that amount.
In fact, only Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have recorded more sacks over the past four years.