It seems as though the Cincinnati Bengals and their star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson are headed for divorce, as the two sides seem far apart on what they think is right and Hendrickson has had some choice words for the organization as of late.
If the Bengals aren't able to make Hendrickson happy financially, he has stated that he won't play for the team in 2025. If it comes to that, the Bengals could look to trade the player who led the league in sacks last season and finished second in 2023.
RB Hayek of Clutch Points sees the Los Angeles Chargers as the team that could pull off that deal.
"Hendrickson played in all 17 games last season and delivered 17.5 sacks, which led the NFL, along with 16 quarterback hits. Furthermore, he also hurried the quarterback 46 times, pressuring them to make errant throws before they wanted to. Hendrickson was also the ultimate closer, nabbing 12.5 sacks in close games.
The verdict on Hendrickson indicates LA would need to send a first-round pick to the Bengals. If the Chargers could land Hendrickson, they would have the potential to become one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hendrickson could be the final piece that could help the playoff push", wrote Hayek.
While a first-round pick seems tough to give up for a 30-year-old player, Hendrickson is not your average defensive end. In just four seasons, his 57 sacks in Cincinnati already place him at No. 6 on the team's all-time sacks list. The Chargers, fresh off moving on from Joey Bosa this offseason, could replace him in a major way.
The team used some of the $25 million in cap savings to make sure they brought back Khalil Mack, but the team could use more depth around him. In addition to Mack, the Chargers will rush the passer with Tuli Tuipolotu, who has looked great in his young career, but after that, they have veteran Bud Dupree and fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard.
Hendrickson could line up on the defensive line, perhaps the weakest spot on the team, and help take pressure off of those players in the pass-rush department.
It's an interesting idea, but in addition to giving up at least one first-round pick, the Chargers would also need to sign him to an extension of sorts. The contract is the reason he is threatening to not play for the Bengals this season, so anywhere he goes will have to come with a bump in pay on a contract scheduled to pay him $15.8 million in 2025.
It wouldn't make much sense to make a big trade for a player and not try to make him happier than he was in his previous stop. That leaves a lot for the Chargers to consider if they were to entertain the idea of trading for Hendrickson, but acquiring him would give the Chargers a chance to have one of the most ferocious defenses in the league.
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