Trey Hendrickson could be out of Cincinnati, but only if someone is willing to pay the price.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Bengals have let it be known that any team inquiring about their Pro Bowl pass rusher will have to pony up. Cincinnati is reportedly asking for a “young defensive player” — not necessarily a pass rusher — and a 2026 first-round pick.
The Bengals and Hendrickson remain at a stalemate, per SI’s Albert Breer. The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, worth $15.8 million this season.
“Their [Bengals’] offer to Hendrickson is massive in APY, but lacks the guarantees he wants. So the standoff continues,” Breer wrote.
If Hendrickson were traded for a first-rounder, it would be nearly unprecedented. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointed out it hasn’t happened in more than three decades.
“I believe the last time a non-quarterback age 30 or over was traded for a first-round pick was when the Falcons sent one (and two seconds) to the Vikings for Chris Doleman in 1994,” Barnwell wrote.
Minnesota used one of those second-round draft picks on wide receiver David Palmer at No. 40 overall in 1994. The first-round selection became defensive end Derrick Alexander in 1995. Neither lasted more than 10 years in the NFL.
As for Doleman, the Hall of Famer played 15 seasons, though just two with Atlanta before finishing his career with the 49ers and back in Minnesota. He was enshrined in Canton in 2012.
The deal showed how blockbuster trades don’t always work out for either side. The Falcons never got the best from Doleman, while the Vikings failed to replace him with equal talent.
That’s the risk Cincinnati faces now. For any team willing to meet the Bengals’ demands, it’s a gamble with no guarantees.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky drove the point home Monday on First Take, saying Hendrickson is the difference between Cincinnati being a Super Bowl contender or a complete afterthought.
“Without him, I do not believe [the Bengals] are a playoff team,” Orlovsky said. “This was their best defender last year, on a historically bad defense. To remind everybody, this is a team that went 3-4 last year when they scored 33 or more points.”