The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is reeling, a patchwork unit desperately trying to plug leaks in the wake of Micah Parsons’ departure. With the NFL trade deadline looming on November 4, 2025, whispers in the front office suggest Big D isn’t done wheeling and dealing. The glaring void left by Parsons—a generational talent—has exposed the Cowboys’ pass rush as a glaring weakness, prompting speculation about bold moves to salvage the season.
Enter Jadeveon Clowney, the veteran edge rusher signed as a stopgap measure. While he’s a solid addition, he’s no long-term fix for a defense hemorrhaging points at an alarming rate. That’s where Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson comes into play. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has pegged the 30-year-old as one of the league’s premier trade candidates, a four-time Pro Bowler who could inject some much-needed ferocity into Dallas’ front line.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/NFL_DF/status/1968309531374674227
Hendrickson’s situation in Cincinnati is a classic contract impasse. Fresh off a renegotiated one-year, $29 million deal, he’s set to hit free agency in 2026—unless the Bengals slap him with the franchise tag. But with quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, the Bengals’ playoff hopes are fading fast. Knox argues in his October 1 piece, “2025 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 5,” that Cincinnati might be wise to cash in now rather than risk losing Hendrickson for nothing. “Even with Burrow behind center, Cincinnati probably can’t overcome a suspect defense enough to make a deep playoff run,” Knox noted. Add in season-ending injuries to elite pass rushers like Nick Bosa and Marcus Davenport league-wide, and the market for Hendrickson could heat up, giving the Bengals leverage.
What would it take for the Cowboys to snag this sack machine? Bleacher Report projects a conditional 2026 second-round pick as the baseline, with Dallas likely needing to sweeten the pot by offering Hendrickson a lucrative extension. Earlier reports from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated the Bengals were eyeing a 2026 first-rounder plus a young defensive piece back in August—ambitious, perhaps, but a desperate team like Dallas might bite if the price drops.
Hendrickson’s resume speaks volumes. He exploded onto the scene with back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks, pairing that with over 40 tackles each year. In 2024 alone, he racked up 46 tackles, 36 quarterback hits, and those eye-popping 17.5 sacks across 17 starts. This year, through four games, he’s already notched 11 tackles, six QB hits, and two sacks. At his peak, Hendrickson is a game-wrecker, the kind of player who could transform the Cowboys’ dismal defense, which is surrendering a league-second-worst 33 points per game.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1972674965615841427
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t mincing words about his willingness to deal. Armed with extra draft capital from the Parsons trade, Jones told 105.3 The Fan on September 19: “Absolutely, I’m open for business period relative now that we have those extra picks. We should be.” As reported by The Athletic’s Jon Machota on X, Jones is signaling that Dallas is ready to pounce on defensive reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the Bengals sit at 2-2, fresh off two straight losses, and Burrow’s absence could spiral their season further. If Cincinnati shifts focus to rebuilding, Hendrickson becomes prime trade bait. For Cowboys fans, this saga is one to watch closely—the deadline is approaching, and filling that “Parsons-sized hole” might just hinge on landing a proven disruptor like Hendrickson. Stay tuned; the next move could redefine Dallas’ defense.