Trey Hendrickson landing spots: Eagles, 49ers, Cowboys among best fits for Bengals star Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYOctober 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM 1 Trey Hendrickson has no trouble getting after quarterbacks. Contracts, on the other hand, have proven to be a different beast.
- - Trey Hendrickson landing spots: Eagles, 49ers, Cowboys among best fits for Bengals star
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYOctober 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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Trey Hendrickson has no trouble getting after quarterbacks. Contracts, on the other hand, have proven to be a different beast.
The Cincinnati Bengals star pass-rusher temporarily resolved his lengthy contract dispute with the team over the offseason after both sides agreed to a $14 million raise for the 2025 season. That didn't resolve the biggest issue Hendrickson was facing – long-term security.
He is set to become a free agent after the season and anything can happen. Cincinnati could decide to franchise tag their star player if he remains on the roster.
They could also opt to trade Hendrickson, especially after he voiced plenty of displeasure over the offseason. The star is after a contract that the Bengals appear unwilling to offer.
With a 2-4 start to the season following Joe Burrow's injury, Cincinnati could decide that they aren't in a spot to contend in 2025 and recoup some assets by dealing Hendrickson. After all, they drafted Shemar Stewart to wreak havoc on the edge.
Here are some potential landing spots if the Bengals decide it's time to move on.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Trey Hendrickson landing spotsPhiladelphia Eagles
The Eagles have been riding the struggle bus this season and have the look of a team that is experiencing a Super Bowl hangover. While plenty of players from that roster returned, some key pieces were lost along the way. Josh Sweat is now in Arizona, Brandon Graham is now in retirement and Milton Williams is now in New England.
In other words, Philadelphia lost plenty of talent along their defensive line. The Eagles have tallied just nine sacks through six weeks, ranking in the bottom-third of the league. A Hendrickson trade goes a long way in solving those concerns and uplifting a defense in need of some pass-rushing ability. Philly's offense eventually needs to pick it up, but restoring some of their identity on the other side of the ball can't hurt.
San Francisco 49ers
It's starting to feel like a higher power has determined the 49ers can't remain healthy. They lost Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season already, leaving two massive voids in the defense. Replacing players of that caliber during the season is an almost impossible task, but San Francisco can try if they believe themselves to be a contender.
While defensive coordinator Robert Saleh might welcome a reunion with some of his linebackers with the New York Jets, Hendrickson is a good candidate to find some production of the edge. They have just seven sacks on the season – second-fewest in the league. More importantly, it doesn't have to be a one-year arrangement for both sides. San Francisco currently enters the 2026 offseason with a projected $38.9 million in cap space, per OverTheCap. With restructures and other cap maneuvers, it's not out of the question that the Niners form a dynamic duo with Hendrickson and Bosa for 2026.
Dallas Cowboys
Everyone has been waiting for the other shoe to drop after the Micah Parsons trade. Jerry Jones hasn't been shy about his willingness to add if the right trade presents itself and Hendrickson might be the guy he's looking for.
He won't command as much as Parsons in a potential extension, allowing Jones to replace the star with another one at a cheaper rate. Dallas' defense needs plenty of help. The Cowboys could get ahead of their offseason to-do list and check a big box off before the deadline.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are 5-1 at a time when most thought they would be 1-5. It's been a magical ride for Daniel Jones and Indianapolis – continuing to be one of the biggest shocks in the league. At this point, the Colts are playing with house money and can go all-in.
Suddenly a contender, Hendrickson's fit with the Colts would be seamless. Former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo now holds that same title in Indianaplolis after he was fired by Cincinnati in January. Hendrickson's best years came with Anarumo, making the fit a logical one.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Indianapolis' fellow AFC South team could also throw themselves into the race for Hendrickson. Not only would he make the Jaguars better, but it keeps a division rival from potentially becoming more dangerous.
Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick after swinging a deal for Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, limiting their ability to keep up in a bidding war. However, general manager James Gladstone does have a second-round selection and three more in the third to work with. He comes from the Los Angeles Rams, who famously discounted the need for draft picks in pursuit of proven players. Perhaps Gladstone could employ that same strategy with his new squad.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trey Hendrickson best fits include Eagles, 49ers, Cowboys
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