While the case could made that the Chicago Bears are done with the heavy-lifting portion of their offseason moves, Ryan Poles may have just been given an opportunity to address a major need on the team's roster.
To the surprise of many, the Bears didn't add an edge rusher during the 2025 NFL Draft. While that seems to have placed confidence in the arrival of Dayo Odeyingbo, it still needs to be mentioned that Odeyingbo's value moving forward is based on projection, and not expectation.
In a similar surprise, the Cincinnati Bengals wrapped the draft without a resolution on the contract drama with star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. At the start of the offseason, it seemed that Hendrickson was destined to be traded as the Bengals prioritized new deals for wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
However, after those deals were signed, it seemed that the Bengals were going to find a way to keep Hendrickson and find common ground on a new contract.
That may not have been true.
Hendrickson released a statement on Monday that made it clear there has been no progress made on a new contract with the Bengals.
“No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025
Bears still have a chance to strike on a blockbuster trade
The connection between the Bears and Hendrickson is defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. When Hendrickson was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Allen was the team's defensive coordinator. With that in mind, Hendrickson is a clear fit for the profile Allen prefers for his edge rushers.
While the concern for the Bears wouldn't be the draft picks it would cost to trade for Hendrickson, it would be the new contract. If the Bears were to acquire Hendrickson, the team would likely need to restructure the contracts of DJ Moore and Montez Sweat. A move that would signal the Bears being ready to contend.