The Philadelphia Eagles, already boasting one of the NFL’s most formidable rosters, are reportedly eyeing a move that could solidify their defense as an unstoppable force. According to NFL.com’s Marc Ross, acquiring All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals could be the blockbuster trade that elevates Philly’s pass rush to new heights before the 2025 season kicks off.
Hendrickson, the NFL’s reigning sack leader with an impressive 17.5 sacks in 2024, is currently embroiled in a high-profile contract holdout with the Bengals. At 30 years old, the edge rusher shows no signs of slowing down, having also recorded 17.5 sacks in 2023 and leading all edge defenders with 83 total pressures in 2024, per PFF. His pass-rush grade of 90.4 ranked fifth among 211 defensive ends, underscoring his elite production.
Ross highlighted the Eagles’ need for a dominant edge rusher, noting, “The Eagles dominated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl with a relentless pass rush, but Philadelphia has questions on that front heading into the 2025 campaign, given the loss of Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith’s injury, and the need for young guys like Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt to step up.” He added that trading for Hendrickson, much like the transformative acquisition of A.J. Brown in 2022, could supercharge the Eagles’ defense. With the recent trade of Bryce Huff freeing up cap space, general manager Howie Roseman has the financial flexibility to make this deal work.
Hendrickson’s impact goes beyond his individual stats. Analyst Warren Sharp pointed out that the Bengals’ defense has been night-and-day with Hendrickson on the field. Over the last two seasons, Cincinnati ranked last in pressure percentage, completion percentage allowed, success rate, and passer rating allowed without him. With Hendrickson, they soared to the top 12 in each metric—a true game-wrecker.
What Would the Trade Cost?
reading about how Trey Hendrickson is “extremely dug in”
he should be
with him not playing (off the field), Cincy’s pass D last 2 yrs:
#32 pressure %
#32 completion %
#32 success %
#32 passer ratingwith him on the field, Cincy’s def ranks TOP-12 in EVERY ONE OF THOSE STATS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 29, 2025
Financially, Hendrickson is an attractive target. He’s entering the final year of his contract with a base salary of $15.8 million for 2025, well below the market rate for top-tier edge rushers. While he’ll likely demand a raise and extension, Roseman’s cap wizardry could make it feasible. In terms of draft compensation, a proposed trade package could look like this:
Philadelphia Eagles receive: DE Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals receive: 2026 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick
A future second-rounder and an additional fourth-rounder could be enough to pry Hendrickson from Cincinnati, especially since teams may hesitate to offer a first-round pick for a player over 30. Since entering the NFL in 2017, Hendrickson has racked up 77 sacks, with 53.0 since 2020, ranking third league-wide in that span.
Why Philly?
The Eagles’ track record of bold moves under Roseman suggests they’re not afraid to go all-in. Hendrickson’s ability to relentlessly pressure quarterbacks would complement Philly’s already stout defense, creating nightmares for opposing offenses. While young players like Ojomo and Hunt show promise, adding a proven veteran like Hendrickson could be the missing piece to sustain the Eagles’ Super Bowl aspirations.
The question isn’t whether Hendrickson would make Philly better—he undoubtedly would. It’s whether Roseman believes the cost in draft picks and cap space is worth it for a player who could transform the defense into a juggernaut. If history is any indication, Philly always finds a way to make the impossible happen.