As the Chicago Bears open training camp, the buzz has never been higher in recent years. What Ryan Poles has done, this offseason, finally gave Bears fans a reason for true hope.
But, he might not be done. Poles knows this roster still has one glaring question mark, but a possible solution just opened up. Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson had been in and out of contract talks the past few months and, just today, he posted this on his Instagram.
Hendrickson has left Ohio. He is not at Bengals training camp. Contract talks broke down, again, and now things could get ugly for Cincinnati.
Enter: Ryan Poles.
Ryan Poles has a golden opportunity to trade for Trey Hendrickson
We have talked about this possibility for a while, now, as have plenty of other fans from several teams around the league. Hendrickson, last year's NFL sack leader, sure looks like he is finally on his way out of Cincinnati.
The Bengals have multiple contract issues to try and resolve with both Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart, and the Bears might be able to take advantage.
Chicago's defensive line is led by Montez Sweat, of course. The Bears also signed Dayo Odeyingbo this offseason. But, the latter is still fairly unproven and the Bears' depth after those two isn't much. Austin Booker is being counted on to take a leap in Year 2. Daniel Hardy and Dominique Robinson are there, but are they legitimate solutions?
Hendrickson would immediately turn this defense into a top-5 unit. The secondary is already borderline-elite. The linebackers are stout, led by TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Hendrickson puts this unit over the top, and if Poles can make a deal happen, he has to do it. The biggest question, now, is what it would cost. If Poles has to give up a first rounder, is that worth it for a 30-year-old pass rusher?
He's made four-straight Pro Bowls and hasn't missed a game in two seasons. Those two seasons have also seen him post 17.5 sacks in each one. Hendrickson is a top-five pass rusher in this league, and next to Sweat?
Oh, boy.