2024 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson is looking for a new team after the Cincinnati Bengals gave him permission to seek a trade. After failing to agree on a new contract, the Bengals are set to part ways with their defensive star, and the Washington Commanders have reportedly shown interest.
Trey Hendrickson Seeking a Trade
After four straight Pro Bowl seasons, Hendrickson is in line for a major contract, one that Cincinnati seemingly wasn’t willing to offer. The 2024 first-team All-Pro will be playing for a new team in 2025, and according to NFL insider Dianna Russini, that team could be the Commanders.
The Commanders are among the many teams exploring a potential trade for Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, per sources.
Hendrickson was granted permission to seek a trade last Thursday by Cincinnati.
One NFL executive shared, the Bengals are looking for “significant trade… pic.twitter.com/XotIMlQwJ6
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2025
Russini’s report also suggests Washington will face stiff competition for Hendrickson, as multiple teams are interested. However, with Jayden Daniels still on his rookie contract, the Commanders have the fourth-most cap space in 2025.
Since Hendrickson is seeking a massive extension, teams would likely need to work out a deal before acquiring him, which shouldn’t be an issue for Washington.
The two teams above Washington in cap space are the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals struggled to pressure quarterbacks, recording pressure on just 19.2% of dropbacks in 2024, the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. The Chargers weren’t much better, ranking one spot above Arizona with a 19.8% pressure rate.
Both teams have even more financial flexibility than Washington, but Arizona lacks the “contender” status that the Commanders and Chargers can offer. Plus, Los Angeles recently released Joey Bosa, making them a strong candidate for Hendrickson’s services.
How Would Hendrickson Help the Commanders?
The Commanders found success in their pass rush in 2024, ranking fifth in the NFL in sack percentage, bringing down opposing quarterbacks on 8% of dropbacks. That might suggest they don’t need additional pass rushers, but a deeper look tells a different story.
Washington blitzed on 31.5% of defensive snaps in 2024, the fifth-highest rate in the league. With most of their sacks coming from outside linebackers Dante Fowler Jr. and Frankie Luvu, a top-tier defensive end could allow the Commanders to blitz less often while still applying pressure.
Fowler and Luvu combined for 18.5 sacks last season, just one more than Hendrickson alone. Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell led Washington’s defensive ends with five and 3.5 sacks, respectively, highlighting a need for improvement.
Washington’s pass-rush success didn’t translate to stopping the run. The Commanders allowed 4.8 yards per carry in 2024, tied for third-worst in the NFL. Adding Hendrickson could help free up additional defenders to stop the run while maintaining their strong pass-rushing efficiency.
Having come within a game of the Super Bowl in 2024, the Commanders should be at the front of the line for Hendrickson. After already trading for San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., it looks like Washington isn’t done making moves.