ESPN contributor Aaron Schatz thinks the Bengals should trade Trey Hendrickson to build up their defense instead of extending him this offseason. The 2024 NFL sack leader is rushing the passer as well as anyone in the NFL right now.
With a trio of star offensive players on rookie contracts, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to build a dominant roster that carried them to Super Bowl LVI. They
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ESPN’s Aaron Schatz outlined “bold” predictions for the offseason and said the Bengals need to trade Hendrickson away:
The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of cap space to knock out all of Joe Burrow’s demands this offseason, especially after a higher-than-expected incoming salary cap for 2025. But that doesn’t mean the Bengals front office shouldn’t be seeking out ways to add even more.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) prepare to warm up before the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The New Orleans Saints, coached by Sean Payton at the time, picked Hendrickson in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft out of FAU. He spent the first four years of his career with the Saints before joining the Bengals as a free agent in 2021.
J.J. Watt, part owner of Burnley FC, made a bet to play for the Bengals if goalkeeper James Trafford continued his clean-sheet streak.
Washington’s roster-building path is more vague following a 12-5 regular season and surprise trip to the NFC championship.
Up to this point, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed to secure three of their top players on long-term contracts, with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson all angling for new deals. Behind closed doors, however, the Bengals intend to sign all three during the 2025 offseason, according to ESPN.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is likely to become the league's highest-paid player at the position. So, what does that mean for Cincinnati?