To eliminate any unwanted distractions by the time Week 1 arrives, the Cincinnati Bengals must decide on a) extending or b) trading their superstar edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson.
The 2024 leader in sacks is entering the last year of his deal and has expressed his wish for an extension. According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Trey Hendrickson informed reporters last week that the situation has become “personal,” expressing his dissatisfaction with head coach Zac Taylor’s warning regarding fines for missing the mandatory minicamp.
Cincinnati has consistently been mindful of their budget under owner Mike Brown, yet they loosened their wallets to renew star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (four years, $161 million) and Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million) in March.
If Brown and the front office are set against extending Hendrickson, the most prudent approach is to market him and trade him to the highest offer. Numerous teams would be eager to acquire Hendrickson, but the San Francisco 49ers emerge as the perfect trade candidate in this situation.
The 49ers have been looking for a secondary elite pass rusher to support Nick Bosa for some time. They let go of veterans Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd to save on the salary cap, which further diminished their pass rush depth.
Acquiring Trey Hendrickson, who achieved 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024, would provide the 49ers with the top pass rushing duo in football and enhance their prospects of winning a Super Bowl.
What 49ers Should Offer Bengals For Trey Hendrickson
Given that Trey Hendrickson is 30 and approaching his contract year, it’s improbable that Cincinnati will receive a first-round pick for him. For San Francisco GM John Lynch, an equitable trade proposal would be a second-round pick in 2026 and a conditional fifth-round selection that could turn into a fourth based on playing time and postseason advancement.