Joe Burrow’s Bengals open to trading Trey Hendrickson: What does Cincinnati want in return?

One of the most talked-about storylines of this NFL offseason centers around Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals. The standout pass rusher has yet to secure a contract extension with Joe Burrow’s team, leading the franchise to remain open to the possibility of a trade.

That said, knowing Hendrickson is currently one of the best at his position, acquiring the defensive end won’t come cheap. So, what are the Bengals initially looking for to start trade talks?

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Bengals’ front office is reportedly seeking a trade package that meets their needs—particularly targeting a young player and future draft picks.

“The #Bengals have always done their due diligence. But timing is now of the essence. This will be expensive, likely with a young player and a future pick if possible. A challenge for sure — especially because the #Bengals are a playoff-ready team,” the insider reported via @RapSheet.

With talks still ongoing, the future of one of the league’s top edge rushers remains uncertain—and he could be heading away from Joe Burrow as the offseason unfolds.

What’s Hendrickson’s current contract situation?

The Cincinnati Bengals are currently facing a significant contract standoff with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Despite signing a one-year extension through the 2025 season in 2023, Hendrickson has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with his current deal, which is set to pay him a base salary of $15.8 million this year.

The dispute stems primarily from the amount of guaranteed money and the overall length of the contract, with Hendrickson reportedly seeking a long-term deal with more than the one year of fully guaranteed pay the Bengals are offering. With the regular season fast approaching, the situation has escalated, and NFL Media has reported that the Bengals are now listening to trade offers for the veteran pass rusher, who has tallied 35 sacks over the past two seasons.

The highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL

The NFL’s defensive end market continues to escalate, with the league’s top-tier pass rushers commanding massive contracts. Heading into the 2025-26 season, the three highest-paid players at the position are T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, with an average annual value (AAV) of $41 million, followed by Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns at $40 million.

Rounding out the top three is Danielle Hunter of the Houston Texans, whose recent deal gives him an AAV of $35.6 million, just narrowly edging out Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Possible destinations

While news of a potential trade involving Trey Hendrickson has only just emerged, several teams have already set their sights on the standout defensive end. According to information shared by insider Jordan Schultz, the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts are among the teams showing interest in acquiring his services.