The Philadelphia Eagles are off to an impressive start in their quest to return to the Super Bowl, winning six of their first eight games. Jalen Hurts and the offense continue to fire on all cylinders, but the loss of Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in the offseason has put added pressure on the defense.
With the trade deadline approaching, reports indicate that general manager Howie Roseman may once again be eyeing help off the edge. As speculation grows, PFSN is predicting that Philadelphia could make a move for one of the most in-form pass rushers currently dominating the AFC North.
The Eagles Could Land an All-Pro Pass Rusher
The Eagles’ defense currently ranks 15th in PFSN’s Defensive Impact metric, and no player on the roster has reached five sacks through the first eight games. With a sack percentage of just 5.6%, 24th in the league, Philadelphia’s lack of consistent pressure off the edge has become one of the few glaring weaknesses in an otherwise strong Super Bowl defense.
PFSN’s Jacob Infante floated Trey Hendrickson as a potential trade target, acknowledging that the move may be ambitious but still far more realistic than blockbuster names like Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett.
“Is a Trey Hendrickson trade wishful thinking at this stage? Potentially,” Infante wrote. “But the Philadelphia Eagles need an infusion of pass-rushing talent to get their defense back to the standard it’s used to, and he’s a more realistic trade option than Maxx Crosby currently. If Howie Roseman wants to make a splash, this is it.
“The losses of players like Milton Williams and Josh Sweat have been apparent in how the Eagles’ defensive line has gotten to the passer this year. Hendrickson has been a Pro Bowler for each of his last four seasons, and he could be in line for a fifth in 2025. He would be the big prize of the NFL trade deadline this year.”
Hendrickson, who is coming off two consecutive 17-sack seasons, did not receive the long-term extension he wanted from Cincinnati after a drawn-out offseason dispute. Instead, the Bengals reworked his contract to pay him $29 million for the 2025 campaign.
With other star edge rushers like Garrett, Crosby, Watt, and Micah Parsons all getting blockbuster extensions, Hendrickson will be chasing the big money. That financial pressure could prompt Cincinnati to explore a trade, and Philadelphia represents a logical landing spot.
Hendrickson has had a slow start to the season with just four sacks in seven games, ranking 42nd in PFSN’s EDGE Impact metric. But on a defensive line that would be far more diverse than the one currently in Cincinnati, the opportunities for the four-time Pro Bowler to go hunting could increase exponentially in Philly.
However, the biggest hurdle would be the cost, both in what an extension could look like for the 30-year-old and the draft premium they would have to part with. If the Eagles can stomach moving on from a first-round pick, then the move is an instant no-brainer.