Would the Bengals consider this?
The gap between the Cincinnati Bengals’ offer and what star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson wants doesn’t seem to have lessened in size since his public comments a couple of weeks ago. Aside from a Hendrickson post on Instagram with what could be cryptic lyrics, there hasn’t been much movement.
The Bengals haven’t shown any inclination to trade the disgruntled star, but that doesn’t have to stop teams from making offers.
In a recent post, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Seth Walder shared interesting trade proposals that could land the Bengals a player they were linked to in a previous draft and two draft picks from the Washington Commanders or draft compensation from the Indianapolis Colts to reunite Hendrickson with Lou Anarumo.
In the first offer, Fowler has Hendrickson going to the Colts for two draft picks:
Jeremy Fowler’s offer:
Bengals get: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
Colts get: Hendrickson
Why this deal makes sense for both sides: This sort of urgent move from Indy general manager Chris Ballard would solidify the edge of new coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense. Anarumo would gladly reunite with Hendrickson after they spent four seasons together in Cincinnati.
The Bengals were reportedly set on getting a first-round pick for Hendrickson, but that never happened. The longer this draws out, the less leverage the Bengals have in trade talks. Fowler touched on that as well:
It’s clear the Bengals aren’t getting a first-rounder for Hendrickson — or else a deal would have been done by now — but the elite pass rusher still has immense value. They would be smart to capitalize on a trade like this if they aren’t going to pay him what he wants. The Colts have around $20 million in cap space to orchestrate a new contract for Hendrickson.
In a suggestion for the Commanders, Walder has the Bengals getting Jer’Zhan Newton, a third-round pick, and a seventh-round pick in exchange for Hendrickson:
Bengals get: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick
Commanders get: Hendrickson
Why this deal makes sense for both sides: Washington is in win-now mode, but Dorance Armstrong is its best edge rusher. Adding Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best pass rush win rate at edge last season (24%), would be a huge boost.
Losing Newton would make an old defense older, but the Commanders have strong veteran options on the interior defensive line in Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr. (who can move inside if needed). By including Newton in the deal, the Commanders can put together a feasible package without a second-round pick — they lost their 2026 second-round selection as part of the trade for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Newton would be appealing to the Bengals as immediate help.
There is no reason to believe the Bengals would entertain either of these trades, but if they did, getting a young defensive tackle and two draft picks seems more like the way they would go.
What do you think of these proposals? Let us know in the comments!