There aren’t many franchises in the NFL with a more positive outlook for their future than the Washington Commanders. After decades of mediocrity, the addition of Jayden Daniels as their quarterback turned the tide heavily in their favor. From four wins in 2023, the team went all the way to the NFC Championship Game last year.
But heading into the next season, their ambitions are only growing higher. A pivotal offseason saw the front office work to fix most of the roster’s holes, particularly on the defensive end. However, one analyst believes Washington can take a gargantuan step forward by making the most ambitious trade in recent NFL history.
Could the Washington Commanders Make an Almighty Trade?
The Cincinnati Bengals are directly opposite the Commanders regarding their future outlook. After missing the playoffs in back-to-back years with Joe Burrow on the roster, this was a make-or-break offseason for the Bengals.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t all gone according to plan. After finishing as one of the five worst teams on PFSN’s Defense+ metric, Cincinnati extended Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with historic contracts while denying Trey Hendrickson, the league leader in sacks, an extension.
To make matters worse, their potential replacement for Hendrickson, rookie Shemar Stewart, has yet to agree on his rookie contract, amid disputes with the front office. One of the two is likely on the move, and it might be the veteran when the Commanders come calling.
Washington’s defense was a shade below average, finishing 17th on the metric. However, their offseason was spent improving that side of the football by adding Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr., Jonathan Jones, and Will Harris in free agency, before doubling down in the draft with Trey Amos and Kain Medrano.
But even with all that incoming talent, the edge rusher remains relatively weak. Losing Dante Fowler Jr. was a significant blow to the unit, with Wise, Dorance Armstrong, and Clelin Ferrell serving as the only real depth at the position.
With a clear need and a player who fits their mold to a tee, Brandon Austin, in his list of one trade target for every team in the league, believes the Commanders “should be inquiring about Hendrickson,” and it isn’t hard to see his logic.
“The Bengals’ All-Pro is one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the NFL right now, and he has the kind of ability that would immediately elevate Washington’s defense. Since 2021, Hendrickson has recorded 57 sacks, 299 pressures, 114 quarterback hits, 53 tackles for loss, and 11 forced fumbles.”
ESPN’s Seth Walder even put together a trade offer to make the situation a reality. In exchange for the four-time Pro Bowler, he had Washington parting ways with Jer’Zhan Newton, a third-round pick from 2026, and a seventh-round pick from 2027.
ESPN’s @SethWalder proposes a hypothetical trade for the #Commanders to acquire EDGE Trey Hendrickson
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nrQH8LmDb1
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 4, 2025
Regardless of the exact offer, the end idea is the same. Simply put, a better candidate than Hendrickson could not be available for a team with Super Bowl aspirations that needs an upgrade on the defensive end.
It might come at a massive price, but Hendrickson would fit with the team like a glove and make those Super Bowl dreams look more real by the minute.