Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. As of March 7, 2025, Cincinnati Bengals’ All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been granted permission to seek a trade, marking a significant shift after the team rebuffed a similar request in 2024. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and earned his first All-Pro nod, is in the final year of his contract, set to earn a $15.8 million base salary with a $18.66 million cap hit in 2025. With no guaranteed money remaining, the 30-year-old edge rusher is seeking a long-term extension that aligns with his elite production—35 sacks over the past two seasons—rather than the one-year extension he signed in 2023. The Bengals’ decision to allow this exploration comes amid financial pressures, as they prioritize lucrative extensions for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, alongside managing Joe Burrow’s massive contract. Trading Hendrickson would save Cincinnati $16 million in cap space, though it leaves their defense, already weakened by Sam Hubbard’s retirement, in a precarious position. Hendrickson’s trade request has sparked interest across the NFL, with several teams emerging as potential suitors. The Detroit Lions, flush with $51 million in cap space, are a prime candidate. After losing Aidan Hutchinson to injury last season, they traded for Za’Darius Smith, but Hendrickson could form a dynamic duo with a recovering Hutchinson, bolstering their pass rush for a Super Bowl push. The Washington Commanders, linked early as suitors, need to replace free agent Dante Fowler Jr.’s 10.5 sacks from 2024. With head coach Dan Quinn favoring an edge-heavy defense, Hendrickson fits their aggressive rebuild. The Atlanta Falcons, desperate for pass-rush help after a lackluster season from Matt Judon, also see Hendrickson as an instant upgrade to complement their NFC South ambitions, though cap constraints may complicate a deal. Other possibilities include the Chicago Bears, leveraging defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s past ties to Hendrickson from New Orleans, and the Indianapolis Colts, where former Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo now resides. Both teams could pair Hendrickson with existing stars—Montez Sweat in Chicago, DeForest Buckner in Indy—to elevate their defenses. With his market value likely fetching at least a second-round pick, Hendrickson’s next move will hinge on a team’s willingness to offer both draft capital and a contract nearing the $35 million annual benchmark set by Maxx Crosby.