Cowboys Trade Pitch Lands $29 Million 4-Time Pro Bowl Star
The Dallas Cowboys defense continues to be a work in progress, prompting some speculation the front office could make additional moves before the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025. Dallas could still use legit pass rushers given the Micah Parsons sized hole that has been left in Big D.
The Cowboys are hoping Jadeveon Clowney can be a temporary solution, but there is a potential trade candidate who is one of the top NFL pass rushers. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson ranked among the top trade candidates.
Hendrickson has been in a standoff with the Bengals over a contract extension. What would the Cowboys need to give up to land Hendrickson?
Bleacher Report projects that Hendrickson’s trade value is a conditional 2026 second-round pick. Dallas would also likely need to be prepared to sign Hendrickson to a contact extension.
Here is what you need to know about a potential Cowboys-Bengals trade.
The Bengals May Be Willing to Cut Ties With Trey Hendrickson Given Joe Burrow’s Injury
Hendrickson signed a renegotiated one-year, $29 million contract as a temporary solution. The 4-time Pro Bowler is slated to be a free agent in 2026, but the Bengals could also use the franchise tag to retain Hendrickson.
Even with Burrow behind center, Cincinnati probably can’t overcome a suspect defense enough to make a deep playoff run,” Knox wrote in an October 1, story titled, “2025 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 5.” “Therefore, it would make sense to cash in pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Season-ending injuries to players like Nick Bosa and Marcus Davenport might help allow the Bengals to get something close to their asking price for the 30-year-old,” Knox added.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported in August that the Bengals wanted a 2026 first-round pick and a young defensive player in return for Hendrickson. They probably can’t expect that now, but a desperate team may offer something close to it.”
Bengals Star Trey Hendrickson Had Back-to-Back Seasons With 17.5 Sacks
Hendrickson posted back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks and more than 40 tackles. The veteran notched 46 tackles, 36 quarterback hits and 17.5 sacks in 17 starts during the 2024 season.
Through the first four games of 2025, Hendrickson has 11 tackles, six quarterback hits and two sacks. Given Joe Burrow’s injury, it may be time for the Bengals to build for the future and get something in return for Hendrickson.
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones on Potential Trades: ‘I’m Open for Business’
The Cowboys have hinted that more moves could be on the way given the team has two extra draft picks from the Parsons trade. Dallas is allowing 33 points per game, the second worst unit in the NFL.
https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1972674965615841427
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on if they’re open to adding defensive help via trade: ‘Absolutely, I’m open for business period relative now that we have those extra picks. We should be.'” The Athletic’s Jon Machota noted in a September 19, message on X.
The Bengals are 2-2 but have lost their last two games. Things could go from bad to worse without Burrow, meaning Hendrickson is a player Cowboys fans should keep an eye on as the trade deadline gets closer.
3 Lightning Standouts From Orlando Game vs Panthers
Another annual preseason bout in Orlando has come and gone, and the Tampa Bay Lightning took down the Florida Panthers at the Kia Center, 3-2. Like last preseason, the Lightning pulled out a one-goal win.
With the game now in the books, let’s look at some standouts and bring their performance into the greater scope of the preseason. This list does not reflect the three stars of the game. The goal is to dig a little deeper and explore a player’s significance beyond just this night’s performance.
Jakob Pelletier
So far, Jakob Pelletier looks like a promising addition for the Lightning. He scored his second goal of the preseason to pick up the team’s third and game-winning score on the night. He’s gotten himself on the scoresheet twice in three games played.
Both of his goals have come in clutch situations, with his first being a game-tying goal against the Nashville Predators on Sept. 23. It bodes well for someone looking to crack the NHL roster out of camp.
Pelletier is a 2019 first-round pick who is looking to finally find his footing in the NHL. With Nick Paul out with an injury for the first month of the season, the door is wide open for playing time to start the season. So far, he’s made a nice impression, sticking around as other players fall victim to roster cuts in training camp.
Even beyond filling in for an injury, seeing Pelletier succeed now is a promising sign for improving depth across the forward lines. The top-heavy Lightning could have a chance to strengthen the bottom six if Pelletier can be unlocked.
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Each time he gets on the scoresheet should help build the excitement for what the Lightning can get out of Oliver Bjorkstrand. The 30-year-old forward opened the scoring in the game with a power-play goal in the first period. It was the lone special teams goal from either team, and he earned the first star on the night.
He fired a game-high five shots in the game, doing his best to put the pressure on. In total, he’s tallied two goals and two assists for four points on the preseason campaign.
The Lightning picked up Bjorkstrand, alongside Yanni Gourde, ahead of last season’s trade deadline. However, he saw his season come to an early end due to developing compartment syndrome. The ailment kept him out of playoff action, which created a crucial what-if following another first-round exit. Another solid night during the preseason provides promise that he’ll have a chance to be the impact player the Lightning hoped he would be this upcoming season.
Darren Raddysh
The 29-year-old defenseman did what he could to get in on the scoring action in Orlando. He assisted on Bjorkstrand’s goal and fired four shots on net during the game. So far in the preseason, he has a goal and two assists for three points.
Over the last two seasons, Raddysh has become a bigger factor in the scoring game, picking up at least 30 points and 20 assists each time. In 2024-25, he set a career high in points with 37 despite playing nine fewer games than the previous season.
His points per game went up from 0.40 in 2023-24 to 0.50 in 2024-25. So far, he’s picked up where he’s left off. Seeing that consistency early on should help build confidence in the Lightning’s scoring depth.
The Lightning are seeing production without the assistance of their top stars in the preseason. It’s not a fully guaranteed sign that they’ll look this good in the regular season. After all, competition will be different, and fully NHL-level talent. That being said, games such as this one help give the team an idea of what they can potentially expect in the regular season and help decide who is most likely to make an impact. Play well now, and you’ll have a chance to prove you can keep it up in the regular season.
