A look at why the Colts trading for Bengals’ pass rusher Trey Hendrickson can be a “challenge.”

With Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals’ contract talks stalling out, Cincinnati is listening to trade offers, and among the teams that have shown an interest is the Indianapolis Colts.

However, whether it be the Colts or another team, what Ian Rapoport and other insiders have made clear is that getting a trade done won’t be easy.

So why is that the case?

Well, there are two primary reasons, and they both center around cost.

The first cost is what will be needed to acquire Hendricks. According to Rapoport, it will be “expensive,” with the Bengals “likely” looking to land a young player and a future draft pick if possible.

While Rapoport didn’t specify, I would guess it’s a young and ascending player the Bengals want in return, along with an early-round draft pick.

The second cost for whoever could potentially acquire Hendrickson is a new contract. With one year left on his current deal, he is looking for an extension.

After leading the NFL in sacks last season and routinely being one of the NFL’s top pressure-getters, Hendrickson’s new deal will have to reflect that production.

For some context, TJ Watt at $41 million per year is the NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher this season. Danielle Hunter at $35.6 million ranks third, Nick Bosa at $34 million per year ranks fifth, and Brian Burns at $28.2 million ranks seventh.

Adding to the difficulty of not only having to fit a large deal on the books is that this late in the NFL offseason, but teams also have a lot less salary cap flexibility compared to March or April.

The Colts currently have $17.23 million in available cap space, which ranks 22nd in the NFL, and there are other cap expenses still coming down the road.

Also not to be forgotten about is that the Bengals are a team that wants to contend, and trading away a player of Hendrickson’s caliber doesn’t help with that.

So just because the Bengals are listening to what’s out there doesn’t mean a trade will get done. There are hurdles to overcome.