heavy.com: Trey Hendrickson’s Bold Statement Could Open Door for a Commanders Trade

[TK]

Trey Hendrickson’s Bold Statement Could Open Door for a Commanders Trade

Trey Hendrickson has been in a heated contract negotiation with the Cincinnati Bengals since the end of the 2024 NFL season, which has fueled trade speculation surrounding the pass rushing savant all offseason.

Yet, a recent statement released by Hendrickson — detailing stalled contract talks — could open the door for the Washington Commanders to potentially work a trade to acquire one of the most productive edge rushers in the league ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Trey Hendrickson Releases Scathing Statement About Contract Negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals entered the offseason wanting to get deals done with Hendrickson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.

They managed to lock up their dynamic WR duo with long-term deals, but after seeing Hendrickson’s recent statement about how the contract negotiations are going with Cincinnati… there is reason to believe a trade could be a possibility in the near future.


A statement released to ESPN (posted on X by Adam Schefter) by Hendrickson reads, “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”


This contract stalemate certainly suggests this negotiation isn’t going well and could get even uglier in a few months once training camp begins.

The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last year, but Hendrickson was a lone bright spot with a second straight season with 17.5 sacks.

Could This Open a Trade Window for the Washington Commanders to Acquire Trey Hendrickson?

Commanders GM Adam Peters has been very aggressive acquiring impact players via trade this offseason to help surround rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels with talent entering year two under center in Washington. The additions of Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel should help improve an already productive offense entering the 2025 NFL season.

Yet, the moves on the defensive side of the ball haven’t been quite as noteworthy. The defense could still use a dynamic edge rusher to help bolster a pass rush that was good, but not elite last season.


After completing the deals for Tunsil and Deebo this offseason, the Commanders are a little lighter on draft assets than usual during the Peters era, but pulling off a deal for Hendrickson could resolve one of the biggest needs remaining on this retooled roster entering the 2025 NFL season.

Dorance Armstrong and Frankie Luvu are currently positioned to be the team’s edge rushing presence this year with Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw providing pressure from the inside, but the addition of Hendrickson could instantly transform this unit into an elite group.


Will the Bengals asking price be too high considering the Commanders will then have to give Hendrickson a top of the market contract upon arrival? Perhaps.

Yet, if negotiations deteriorate to the point where the Bengals eventually cut their losses and lower their asking price for Hendrickson, then it could open the door for Washington to acquire a huge piece in their quest to improve upon on their NFC Championship Game appearance from last season.

[SWIM]

Only thing is that if a trade has to happen then the bengals are going to have to trade him at a little bit of a discount. So it would cost less than it otherwise would…

[88Commanders00]

Only thing is that if a trade has to happen then the bengals are going to have to trade him at a little bit of a discount. So it would cost less than it otherwise would…

Bengals will want a 1st rounder. He will be holdout, racking up fines by missing games and won’t return until the 10th game.

Bengals will play hardball with him and in any trade during the season.

[mistertim]

Only thing is that if a trade has to happen then the bengals are going to have to trade him at a little bit of a discount. So it would cost less than it otherwise would…

Bengals will want a 1st rounder. He will be holdout, racking up fines by missing games and won’t return until the 10th game.

Bengals will play hardball with him and in any trade during the season.

They have to know they won't get a 1st round pick for him at this point. This is what happened with us and Trent. We played around, didn't work in good faith, and in the end only got a 3rd for him when pretty much any team would have given up a 1st much earlier.

If Hendrickson holds to his word, then I'm not sure what's in it for Cincy to keep screwing around. Sure, they can fine him and he won't get paid, but he's still on their books and they lose their best defensive player and eventually his trade value will fall and fall, to the point where maybe they try to trade him next season for what...a 4th or something?

[Youngestson]

Money has an awfully good record. I don't see Hendrickson holding out a year especially considering the fines he's going to rack up.

I'd sort of enjoy watching it play out, but not holding my breath.

[Warhead36]

Bengals are a weird organization that often operates out of spite. Remember they wouldn't even trade us Chad Johnson for TWO first round picks. And yes its still pretty much the same people running that team. They're a trainwreck franchise that happened to luck into a generational superstar QB AND WR.

[Darrell Green Fan]

I've always liked this player but he isn't coming for a day 3 pick. Probably ends up being a 2 and we don't have one of those. Even if he falls to a 3rd round pick, which I don't see happening, do we really want to go into the 2026 draft with a first and then nothing until round 5?

[Bantu]

Am I the only one that does not think Hendrickson is that good? Not saying he isn't a quality DE, but the trade and $$$ compensation do not line up with the player I've seen. Maybe I am missing something.

[Brave]

Am I the only one that does not think Hendrickson is that good? Not saying he isn't a quality DE, but the trade and $$$ compensation do not line up with the player I've seen. Maybe I am missing something.

Well over the past 5 years he's had 69.5 sacks...and the last two seasons being at 17.5.

[mistertim]

Am I the only one that does not think Hendrickson is that good? Not saying he isn't a quality DE, but the trade and $$$ compensation do not line up with the player I've seen. Maybe I am missing something.

He's extremely good. He led the league in sacks and pressure win rate, resulting in a 1st team All Pro. If you watch his tape or highlights you see has a major motor, has several moves and counter moves, can rush outside or in, great at handwork and keeping Tackles out of his pads, great bend around the edge.