The Eagles have already made two trades this month. But could Howie Roseman make an even bigger splash by acquiring one of the best players in the league?
Trey Hendrickson, the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, might be traded by the Cincinnati Bengals after both parties have reached an impasse in contract extension negotiations.
The Bengals are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for Hendrickson, who has led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks in each of the last two seasons. The 2024 first-team All-Pro selection reported for training camp after initially holding out but has not participated in practices.
Cincinnati is hoping for a haul if Hendrickson is dealt. Teams who have inquired about the 30-year-old were told the Bengals’ asking price includes “a young defensive player and a 2026 first-round pick,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that it’s “pretty unlikely a team will give up picks, a player and the contract Hendrickson wants.”
Hendrickson isn’t looking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league like Micah Parsons. But there is an understanding that he’s looking to at least double what he’s set to make this season, which is $15.8 million.
There are only a few teams in the NFL able to pay Hendrickson and meet the Bengals’ demands. But the Eagles, who have been listed as a trade fit for Hendrickson, are one of them.
The Eagles have just over $30 million in cap space. They have young defensive players — edge rushers Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt come to mind — to send Cincinnati’s way. And they have plenty of draft capital with 13 selections in the 2026 NFL draft.
After the Eagles traded for Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III on Sunday, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported a message he received from an AFC GM: “Don’t think Eagles are done with trades. They have so many picks and that team is always gonna be aggressive.”
Would it make sense for the Eagles to go after Hendrickson? With Josh Sweat leaving in free agency and Brandon Graham retiring, the Eagles are entering the new season banking on Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, and Hunt, a 2024 third-round pick, to step up. Philadelphia also has Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari as veteran rotational players.
Adding Hendrickson might come at the cost of either Smith or Hunt. But it would be a massive move by Roseman to further strengthen a roster that returns a lot from last year’s Super Bowl.
The Eagles aren’t the only team who might be interested in Hendrickson. USA Today also listed the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans as potential fits.
But Hendrickson’s situation in Cincinnati is worth monitoring for Eagles fans.
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