Trey Hendrickson is living one day at a time. It’s common for many in an NFL world where tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, but the Cincinnati Bengals star has taken on more risk than most.
Hendrickson continues to be on the hunt for a long-term contract, while the Bengals haven’t been willing participants to this point. The contract dispute took on a new life over the offseason as Hendrickson took his case to the court of public opinion.
Advertisement
It didn’t change much for the star pass-rusher, who ultimately settled for a revised contract before the regular season began.
Now the contract takes center stage once again.
The Bengals are losing ground in the playoff race, posting a 1-5 record after Joe Burrow’s injury. Now it begs the question – is a trade in the near future or is Hendrickson heading for another offseason of uncertainty?
If a trade is the result, here are the best fits for Hendrickson ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
1 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
1 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
2 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
3 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
4 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
Trey Hendrickson landing spotsPhiladelphia Eagles
Something is missing with the Eagles. They have battled issues with their passing game, but they also struggle to get to the other quarterback. Philadelphia has totaled 16 sacks through eight weeks, which continues to rank in the bottom half of the league. Brandon Graham has come out of retirement, but that still doesn’t fix the issues brought on by the departures of Josh Sweat and Milton Williams.
Advertisement
San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are lost for the season, but that doesn’t mean the 49ers will admit defeat on the season. There are too many players and too much effort put into the entire operation to just shut it down because of some significant injuries. They have already acknowledged the pass-rush issues by swinging a trade with the Patriots for Keion White.
If San Francisco really wants to go for it, swinging a deal for Hendrickson accomplishes that goal in more ways than one. Players of his caliber aren’t often available and the 49ers could attempt to grant Hendrickson that long-term deal in the offseason – provided they find a way to allocate those funds. With just nine sacks in eight games, the Niners need to improve their pass rush. The stars might be aligning if they can pry the Bengals star out of Cincinnati.
Advertisement
Dallas Cowboys
Everyone has been waiting for the other shoe to drop after the Micah Parsons trade. Jerry Jones hasn’t been shy about his willingness to add if the right trade presents itself and Hendrickson might be the guy he’s looking for.
He won’t command as much as Parsons in a potential extension, allowing Jones to replace the star with another one at a cheaper rate. Dallas’ defense needs plenty of help. The Cowboys could get ahead of their offseason to-do list and check a big box off before the deadline.
Advertisement
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts just keep winning and it’s almost certainly the most shocking thing to happen this season. Daniel Jones has been reborn in Indianapolis, reviving his career in a way that no one could’ve imagined. Considering they haven’t turned into a pumpkin yet, the Colts have every reason to go all-in and land the big fish at the deadline.
Hendrickson’s fit with the Colts would be seamless. Former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo now holds that same title in Indianapolis after he was fired by Cincinnati in January. Hendrickson’s best years came under Anarumo, making the fit logical.
Advertisement
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has been living off its ability to force turnovers this season, but it can’t take the next step without fixing the nonexistent pass rush.
Jacksonville doesn’t have a first-round pick after trading for Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, limiting its ability to keep up in a bidding war. However, general manager James Gladstone does have a second-round selection and three more in the third to work with. He comes from the Los Angeles Rams, who famously discounted the need for draft picks in pursuit of proven players. Perhaps Gladstone could employ that same strategy with his new squad.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trey Hendrickson best NFL trade deadline fits amid rumors