Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is no stranger to the rumor mill. He spent months this offseason as the subject of hypothetical trade scenarios, and as the Bengals locked up wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to four-year deals, he watched as the game’s best defensive players found record-breaking raises.
In August, Cincinnati briefly quieted the noise by adjusting Hendrickson’s contract, paying him $29 million for the 2025 season.
However, Hendrickson still lacks long-term security, and as the Bengals lick their wounds after a 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears, they find themselves as sellers before the NFL trade deadline.
Trey Hendrickson Reacts to Trade Rumors
Despite quarterback Joe Flacco’s best efforts, Cincinnati is 3-6. In an AFC stacked with quarterbacks, there is little room for optimism. Turning an eye towards the future makes sense, especially with star quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined. That makes expiring contracts expendable, and as long as Hendrickson’s next contract remains in limbo, he is the Bengals’ biggest trade chip.
Hendrickson, coming off a 17.5-sack season and his fourth Pro Bowl in as many years, would be among the best players dealt on the Nov. 3 deadline. A contender paying a premium for pass rush could give Cincinnati the necessary capital to address its defense and return to prominence in 2026.
For now, Hendrickson remains a crucial part of the Bengals’ defense. With the perspective of last offseason’s chaos, he is prepared for whatever awaits him ahead of Week 10.
“I think this offseason I had a million different scenarios that could happen,” Hendrickson said, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. “The only one that happens is the one they approve. It’s kind of out of my hands and I just trust in the Lord through this process. Whatever he has in store it will be done.”
A nagging hip injury could complicate matters. Hendrickson left Week 6’s contest against the Green Bay Packers early and didn’t play on a short week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
MORE: 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker
He returned in Week 8, but after a hit from New York Jets guard John Simpson, Hendrickson sat out the second half. Cincinnati’s defense collapsed again in the 39-38 loss. He did not play in the Week 9 meltdown.
Some fans took issue with Hendrickson’s misfortune. The edge rusher was adamant that his absence was a matter of health, not a precautionary measure for a deadline deal.
League sources say the Bengals are still asking for a first-round pick in any deal for Trey Hendrickson at this time.
The trade deadline arrives in just over 28 hours, and teams are continuing to call Cincinnati about a number of their players. For now, prices remain high. pic.twitter.com/OUS5UpeH3s
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 3, 2025
“I can’t control what people’s evaluations and questions of me are,” he said. “I can only say that I have a standard for my play and I think they have a standard for their recovery process. The Jets game was a little early in hindsight. Having unfortunate setbacks like that are kind of annoying.
“This is uncharted territory for me over the last four years. Navigating these will be a day-to-day process in figuring out when it is best and when the time is to get back to doing what I love.”
Through nine games, the Bengals’ defense ranks dead last by PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. Hendrickson’s four sacks and three tackles for loss aren’t the culprit, but he could be a victim of Cincinnati’s struggles.
As the deadline looms, Hendrickson’s fate is uncertain. Given the team’s hesitance to pay Hendrickson into his mid-30s, a change of scenery might be the best for both parties.