Some people saw the Bengals’ drafting of Shemar Stewart as signaling the end of the Trey Hendrickson era in Cincinnati.

But sources I talk to around the NFL paint a much different picture.

What I’m hearing ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/rKDBzjSaka

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 2, 2025

The Washington Commanders have been in the market for an edge rusher since the season ended, and could still be looking to add a premier player after passing up on one in the draft. Could the Commanders still possibly make a trade for current Cincinnati Bengals star defender Trey Hendrickson after all this time?

Washington has been linked to every big-name free-agent defensive end this offseason, and there’s still one that could be available for the right price. Will a trade for Trey Hendrickson actually happen, though? First, let’s take a look at the assets Washington currently has available for a trade. The Commanders are already lacking draft picks for the 2026 NFL draft after trading a 2026 second and fourth-round pick for Laremy Tunsil, and only hold five total picks again.

The only player Washington would likely get any interest in for a trade would be DT Daron Payne, and that probably wouldn’t be enough for a Bengals front office that has been asking for a high price for Trey Hendrickson. Washington would likely have to give up its first-round pick for 2026 for Hendrickson, and I don’t see them wanting to do so, and dropping to only four picks in the draft. They could trade picks from the 2027 NFL draft, but that might be a hard sell to the Bengals, who want to maximize Joe Burrow’s window, especially after paying Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

There are also reports that the Cincinnati Bengals are still trying to pay Trey Hendrickson, according to Dianna Russini, and they’re very hopeful after getting a deal done. Hendrickson has often said that he doesn’t want to leave the Bengals, but also wants to get paid what he deserves.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but at this point, it does seem very unlikely that Washington would trade for Trey Hendrickson before the season. Could they do it with future draft pick assets and make a new deal work for Hendrickson? Sure, anything is possible with Adam Peters, but it seems like the likely outcome for Hendrickson is a new deal in Cincinnati before the season starts.

Washington may have to wait until the trade deadline this season to address the position or decide to develop the team’s future youth and draft the next franchise defensive end in the 2026 NFL draft. In the meantime, the Commanders do have a lot of depth on the defensive line and could also add a veteran pass rusher like Von Miller or Za’Darius Smith as a bridge gap to help them get back to the NFC Championship.