As the NFL offseason drags into late June, tension continues to mount in Cincinnati between the Bengals and their star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. With the former NFL sack leader skipping team activities amid a contract standoff, one NFC team has quietly emerged as a compelling potential destination if Hendrickson is ultimately dealt.
Carolina Panthers Named Ideal Fit for Trey Hendrickson
Veteran trades are notoriously tricky during this stage of the offseason. Most franchises have allocated cap space and locked in their draft strategies, limiting flexibility for both financial commitments and draft compensation.
However, FOX Sports’ David Helman recently linked the Carolina Panthers to Hendrickson, identifying them as the “perfect” landing spot should he be made available via trade.
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐑:
There is reportedly a trade in place for DE Trey Hendrickson if the Bengals decide to move on from extension talks.That team would also extend Trey for 4 years.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/uNIXdj59eU
— NFL Updates on X (@NFLUpdatesOnX) June 24, 2025
“Carolina doesn’t currently fit the mold of a contender that a 30-year-old All-Pro like Hendrickson would likely want to play for,” Helman admitted, “but that’s the risk of asking for a trade.”
The Panthers’ appeal lies in a combination of lingering cap space, a youthful rebuilding core, and a clear need on the edge. Following the departure of Brian Burns last offseason and the release of Jadeveon Clowney in May, Carolina’s defense is without a proven star pass rusher. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season, would instantly change that narrative.
In 2024, Hendrickson also tallied career highs in total tackles (46) and passes defensed (six), making him one of the most productive and well-rounded edge players in the league. His value on the open market is undeniable, which is why his ongoing holdout has caught national attention.
The Panthers, though, are in a complex position. This offseason, they signed edge rusher Pat Jones II to a two-year, $20 million dollar contract and used high draft picks on rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. That level of investment, paired with Clowney’s release, suggests Carolina is leaning toward a youth movement.
Meanwhile, Hendrickson’s frustration in Cincinnati stems from what he believes was a broken promise. According to multiple reports, the Bengals told him in 2024 that a strong season would result in a new contract offer. That hasn’t happened. Instead, Cincinnati has funneled resources into offensive stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Things came to a head when Bengals executive Katie Blackburn appeared to blame Hendrickson for the stalled negotiations. Hendrickson, on “The Pat McAfee Show,” responded by saying he had received “minimal communication” from the team.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah floated the Seattle Seahawks as another possible destination, calling Hendrickson “a good, natural, instinctive pass rusher” and adding, “100% I would try to be in on that.” Yet despite interest from other teams, no trade has materialized.
As training camp looms, the Bengals and Hendrickson have resumed discussions. But with “significant gaps” in contract terms remaining, the door may still be open for a team like Carolina to make a bold move. Whether the Panthers are willing to pay both the trade price and extension demands remains uncertain, but the fit, at least in theory, is hard to ignore.