NFL Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Bengals may lose $99M edge rusher to Chicago Bears (Image via Getty: Chicago Bears logo and Cincinnati Bengals logo) The Cincinnati Bengals have suffered long enough. They overcame slow starts but lost their quarterback, Joe Burrow, and their edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, to injuries in 2025, leaving them with a disappointing 6-11 season score. Anyhow, time does not wait for anyone.Burrow may be in the contract for a long time [5-year contract worth $275M signed in 2023], but Hendrickson’s time’s up. He is a free agent now, and The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranks him No. 1 in the 2026 NFL free agency market.With free agency market talks come trade talks, and so, USA TODAY’s Christian D’Andrea predicts the 31-year-old defensive end to end up with the Chicago Bears. But let’s first understand Hendrickson’s elite level.
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson tops 2026 NFL free agency rankings
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper has predicted Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson to a three-year contract worth $99 million. He has been one of the most productive pass rushers over the past five years in the NFL. Although he could play only seven games last season because of a core-muscle injury that required surgery, when he is on the field, he is a relentless, urgent motor who puts crushing pressure on a tackle’s outside shoulder. Over his career, he has forced 15 fumbles and consistently dominates with his hands to swipe past a tackle’s strike. Additionally, his lethal speed-to-power changeup can take advantage of a tackle’s momentum. Beyond his pass rushing, Hendrickson is a capable edge setter in the run game. Still, he tops the 2026 NFL free agency rankings primarily because of his impeccable pass rush production.
Chicago Bears could benefit from Cincinnati Bengals’ premier pass rusher
USA TODAY’s Christian D’Andrea reports that Chicago could land Hendrickson without having to give up on draft considerations to recharge their pass rush.He recorded a career low 14 percent pressure rate [in seven games] after averaging 19 percent in the past four years as a Bengal. But this seven-game scorecard is better than what Bears’ Montez Sweat [10 to 11 percent] and Dayo Odeyingbo [7 percent] recorded in 2025.So, Trey basically makes up for two players on the team. But just imagine: if he had played the whole season without that injury, he could have been worth four players for Chicago!
Trey Hendrickson may not be franchise tagged but can Chicago Bears pay him well
The Sporting News’ Matt Sullivan reports that while the All-Pro pass rusher is hard to replace, the Bengals are not expected to franchise tag him. Therefore, Hendrickson is more likely to leave than sign an extension he is not happy with.According to Spotrac’s calculated market value for Hendrickson, a two-year contract worth $50 million would land him an average annual salary of $25 million. The Bears have a negative $13 million cap space. Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell reports that this makes it nearly impossible for the Bears to sign the edge rusher, particularly if his contract exceeds $30 million per year. To secure him, the franchise would need to create significant cap space through contract restructures and player cuts to make a deal possible.