Buzz Growing Around Eagles as Sneaky Trade Fit for Trey Hendrickson
Could the standoff between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals ultimately bring one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers to Philly?
While many believe teams like the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders are the top contenders to trade for his services, the Philadelphia Eagles might be a sneaky candidate to make a move.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, an AFC GM texted him the following: “Don’t think Eagles are done with trades. They have so many picks next year and that team is always gonna be aggressive.”
Could Hendrickson be next? USA Today’s Nate Davis thinks it’s a possibility.
“Never discount EVP/GM Howie Roseman, who’s built three Super Bowl rosters over the past eight seasons – two of them earning rings – and may have another on his hands with or without Hendrickson,” Davis wrote on August 17.
More on Why the Eagles Could Be Sneaky Trade Destination for Trey Hendrickson
“Roseman was rumored as a suitor for Garrett when the Browns superstar requested a trade earlier this year before taking a pile of money to remain in Cleveland,” Davis also noted, adding:
“While Philly doesn’t seem to be in desperate need of another defensive weapon, it did lose Josh Sweat and Milton Williams to free agency and Brandon Graham to retirement during the offseason. Youngsters Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are projected to start on the edge, and both have flashed the promise that led Roseman to draft them. But neither has the production or experience of Hendrickson, who’d probably be a more realistic potential target here anyway than Garrett ever was.”
Over the last two years he has sacked the quarterback more than anyone else, leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2023 and another 17.5 in 2024.
Next Gen Stats credited Hendrickson with 92 total pressures in 2024—most in the league— and ESPN’s pass-rush win-rate model also had him among the very best last season. He’s 30 years old, but Hendrickson still has a wicked inside counter and closing burst that very few tackles can handle.
And now, after his current contract negotiations failed, the Bengals are willing to listen to offers. Should Roseman be among those interested?
Hendrickson Would Be Huge Addition for Philadelphia
The Eagles make sense as a suitor largely because Hendrickson could be the piece that would take this defense to the next level. They also could use a star edge rusher. Philly lost Josh Sweat to Arizona in free agency and saw franchise legend Brandon Graham retire.
The current depth at DE is decent but inexperienced, with Nolan Smith headlining alongside additions like Azeez Ojulari and Jalyx Hunt. Adding a finisher like Hendrickson would be huge.
He’d also be a good fit schematically. Vic Fangio’s fronts are built to manufacture one-on-ones for edges with simulated pressures and five-man looks—and there are few one-on-one matchups Hendrickson won’t win.
Plus, pairing a proven closer like Hendrickson with a dominant interior lineman like Jalen Carter would give Philly one of the best one-two punches on the D-line in the NFL.
A trade would also be financially plausible. The Eagles currently have roughly $30 million cap space, and Hendrickson’s 2025 placeholder salary—around $15.8 million—is the kind of number Roseman could fold into a trade-and-extend structure that would push new guarantees into future years.
With Cincinnati now open to listening, Philadelphia has an opportunity to add an All-Pro pass rusher. The question is whether or not Roseman and company see merit in adding an aging pass rusher who wants to get paid top tier money.
