Bengals Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Listening to Offers for Star Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson Amid Contract Dispute

 

The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a major roster dilemma just weeks before the start of the 2025 NFL season. According to multiple reports, the franchise is now listening to trade offers for star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has been embroiled in a prolonged contract standoff with the team.

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🔥 Trey Hendrickson’s Rise as a Defensive Star

Since joining the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson has become one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers. He recorded back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, placing him among the NFL’s elite edge rushers. His relentless motor, quick first step, and ability to pressure quarterbacks have made him the cornerstone of Cincinnati’s defense.

Hendrickson was instrumental in the Bengals’ recent playoff runs, helping solidify the defensive line as one of the most feared in the AFC. Losing him would be a massive blow to a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

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💰 The Contract Dispute at the Core

The dispute between Hendrickson and the Bengals primarily revolves around guaranteed money. Reports suggest that while both sides are in agreement on the overall length and structure of a deal, they remain $6–10 million apart on guarantees.

Hendrickson has already demonstrated his frustration by staging a hold-in — reporting to training camp but refusing to participate in practices until progress is made. While he briefly ended his holdout, he continues to apply pressure on the Bengals’ front office for a revised deal.

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📰 Bengals Open to Trade Discussions

With no resolution in sight, the Bengals have now started fielding trade calls from interested teams. Insiders suggest Cincinnati is asking for a young, impact player plus draft compensation in return — a steep but justified price for one of the NFL’s most consistent sack artists.

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🏈 Possible Landing Spots for Hendrickson

Several teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the Pro Bowl defensive end. Potential destinations include:

• Carolina Panthers – Seeking a proven edge rusher to stabilize their defense.

• Indianapolis Colts – A young, competitive roster needing a dominant pass rusher.

• Cleveland Browns – A strong defensive unit that could become unstoppable with Hendrickson, though an in-division trade seems unlikely.

Any trade would immediately make Hendrickson one of the most impactful midseason acquisitions in recent memory.

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🎙 Locker Room Distraction

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow recently admitted the ongoing situation has become a locker room distraction, saying players are trying to stay focused on the upcoming season despite uncertainty around one of their leaders.

Meanwhile, veteran pass rusher Cam Jordan, Hendrickson’s former teammate in New Orleans, urged the Bengals to “empty the bag” to keep him, stressing that players of Hendrickson’s caliber are nearly impossible to replace.

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📊 The Bengals’ Options Moving Forward

Scenario	What It Means
Re-sign Hendrickson	Secures elite pass-rush talent long-term, strengthens playoff push.
Trade Hendrickson	Bengals get valuable assets but weaken their defensive front.
Standstill continues	Risk of holdout or reduced performance as season approaches.

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🏆 What’s at Stake for Cincinnati?

The Bengals have built their current roster around Joe Burrow’s prime years, and their championship window is wide open. A decision on Hendrickson’s future will be pivotal in determining how competitive the team remains in 2025.

Trading him could free up resources and add future assets, but it would also strip the defense of its most reliable playmaker. On the other hand, paying Hendrickson could limit financial flexibility but ensures the Bengals retain one of the NFL’s most feared defenders.

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✅ Conclusion

The Trey Hendrickson trade saga highlights the difficult balance NFL teams face between cap management and maintaining star power. For the Bengals, the decision carries significant weight, as it could either strengthen their long-term future or derail their immediate Super Bowl hopes.

As the season draws closer, all eyes will remain on Cincinnati’s front office — and on whether Hendrickson stays in stripes or finds himself wearing new colors in 2025.

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