The New England Patriots underwent a comprehensive overhaul following the conclusion of the 2024 season. After finishing with a 4–13 record for the second consecutive year, the franchise made significant changes to its coaching staff and roster to put surprise Pro Bowler Drake Maye in the best possible situation for the 2025 NFL season.
Utilizing over $100 million in cap space, the Patriots made impactful moves through trades, free agency, and the NFL Draft, with most of it going to the defense. However, the work isn’t done yet, especially in the pass rush department, and one analyst argues New England can pull off a trade for the 2024 sack leader after totaling the fewest sacks in the league last season.
Patriots Predicted To Pull Off a Blockbuster Trade For Trey Hendrickson
Of all the reasons for Jerod Mayo becoming the latest one-and-done head coach, the defense’s decline was arguably the largest. After being a top-10 defense in each of the last three years, the Patriots finished 30th last season in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
Mayo’s departure brought Mike Vrabel and his attacking defense, and one of the first things he did was improve the pass rush. The Patriots signed Harold Landry III to a three-year, $43.5 million free agent contract in March, and while they also have Keion White on the roster, the combined sacks of the two from 2024 (14) are less than Hendrickson’s league-leading 17.5.
With the Patriots still having over $60 million in cap space and Maye still on his rookie contract, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra believes New England should acquire Hendrickson to potentially threaten Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ divisional dominance.
“The Bengals are unlikely to be interested in moving Hendrickson, as that’s not how they roll,” Patra wrote. “However, if there is a divorce, New England is a good new partner. Mike Vrabel could use a legit No. 1 edge to anchor his defense, and the Pats still have cap space. Sure, they’ve shelled out a lot on D already this offseason, but they should continue to take big swings while Drake Maye is still on a rookie deal. Adding Hendrickson would get them a big stride closer to threatening the Bills’ divisional dominance.”
Hendrickson has been a key member of the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense since arriving in 2021 and has earned Pro Bowl honors in his first four seasons, cementing his place among the NFL’s top pass rushers. Since 2021, only Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have produced more sacks than Hendrickson, who has delivered back-to-back 17 1/2 sack seasons.
He was named a first-team All-Pro and finished as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, further justifying his demand for a new contract. But despite that résumé, the Bengals have not moved toward an extension, and Hendrickson’s holdout continues to loom large over the team’s offseason.
Trey Hendrickson is extremely dug in with his contract demands, per@JFowlerESPN
Hendrickson might miss games or even entire 2025 season without new deal. pic.twitter.com/OP1Md3iV90
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 29, 2025
The Bengals’ unwillingness to pay Hendrickson what he is demanding is understandable after the team handed out Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins $161 million and $115 million extensions, respectively. The door for a trade is open, and New England has the capital to make a conniving offer to the Bengals in what could be a game-changing move for their defense.
