The Patriots defense needs a lot of improvement this offseason, yet has seemingly taken a backseat in most fans' eyes since the offense around Drake Maye has become the priority. While that is how Mike Vrabel and Co. will likely approach free agency and the draft, they are also expected to be open for blockbuster trades no matter what position, creating opportunity to bring in some impressive talent they otherwise would never have the chance to sign.
They might have to resort to that if they hope to add a high caliber wide receiver, like Tee Higgins, who has been franchise tagged, or the dream of reuniting Vrabel with former Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown.
But there are also some defensive players that are deemed worth trading for or signing, some of which are rumored to already be on the Patriots radar. The latest player made available, ironically by the Bengals, certainly fits all their needs and qualifies as someone they could entertain a trade for.
However, given how the Bengals have operated in recent years with players they continuously stated they wanted to extend but could never reach an agreement with, it seems safe to say that this might all be a ploy to gauge the market for their star pass rusher and hope they can eventually extend him or force him to play on the final year of his contract instead.
Trey Hendrickson would be a great addition to the Patriots defense, but...
On Thursday afternoon, multiple NFL insiders reported that Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson had requested a trade after negotiations for a new contract continued to go nowhere.
It's the second year in a row that they haven't been able to reach an agreement, so Cincinnati is reportedly allowing him to speak to other teams about a potential trade. Because the Patriots want to add a dominant pass rusher to their defensive line, Hendrickson should be near the top of the list of possible trade targets. But there are concerns about the seriousness of the Bengals' decision.
Trey Hendrickson is due $16 million in the final year of his contract and the sides have been unable to agree on an extension. There will be a lot of interest in what could be the rare #Bengals trade. https://t.co/u3vEqqwrGu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2025
The Bengals have a history of moving on from star players, whether by not re-signing them or via trade, and this report on Hendrick continues that pattern. In that regard, it seems possible that he will play for another team during the 2025 season.
However, they are also known for not granting trade requests, as we saw twice just last year with Higgins, and for their unwillingness to pay their star players. That appears to be the approach with Hendrickson, as they seem hellbent on paying Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins and allowing one of the best defensive ends to play elsewhere because of it.
Because Hendrickson has requested a trade, the assumption is that he is aware he is not on their shortlist of players to pay this offseason, so going somewhere else makes the most sense. It's hard to believe if you're the Patriots based on how the Bengals have conducted roster decisions over the last few years.
It should make them a bit weary to engage in serious trade talks, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't explore it. We are talking about a player who recorded 46 combined tackles, 19 for a loss, 36 quarterback hits, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and a whopping 17.5 sacks last season, after all.
He would be a great early signing for the Vrabel-led Patriots and could dramatically change their defensive identity, but at a high price. It'll have to be something the Patriots should be cautious of but still make the call.