After weeks of rumors about 2024 NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson being one of the premier trade-deadline pursuits in the league, he will remain a Cincinnati Bengals player through the end of the season.

The Bengals made a deal on the Nov. 4 trade deadline day but not the blockbuster some pundits called for, which was to part ways with Hendrickson, one of the best pass rushers in recent years. Instead, the 4 p.m. deadline came and went Nov. 4 and Hendrickson was not traded.

Cincinnati might have been able to move Hendrickson, who is playing on an expiring contract, for significant draft capital. That would be more valuable to the organization than a decorated-but-aging pass rusher likely to move to another organization this coming offseason. Instead, the Bengals retained a player who serves as a defensive captain and turns 31 on Dec. 5.

During a locker room interview Nov. 3 at Paycor Stadium, Hendrickson said he didn’t have expectations for the roughly 24 hours ahead and whether a trade was coming.

“I don’t expect anything anymore, so, again, be where your feet are,” Hendrickson said. “I’m incredibly blessed. … I don’t go with ‘if’s’ and ‘buts.’ You know, I don’t think that’s something that’s reality. I think I’m excited for going home and playing with my son. That’s something I look forward to … .”

At times, Hendrickson spoke of his future as if it would be in Cincinnati, saying he looked forward to making corrections on the defensive side of the ball after stunning letdowns in losses to the New York Jets (Oct. 26) and Chicago Bears (Nov. 2).

“I stopped doing hopes and all that stuff a long time ago,” Hendrickson said. “You are where your feet are and, you know, I’m incredibly blessed to be where I am right now. You know, it’s the National Football League. First or last, it’s a limited amount of spots here and this is an incredible blessing.

“I’m sick for the fans. I’m sick for the people that come watch us. It’s tough games but, again, I think moving forward we’ll make the corrections we need to and get back in the win column.”

The Bengals not moving Hendrickson didn’t stop the rest of the league from making big moves.

The Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 4 sent two first-round NFL draft picks to the New York Jets in exchange for Cincinnati Bearcats product Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.

One day earlier, the Philadelphia Eagles once again turned to the trade market for improvement, acquiring linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the struggling Miami Dolphins.