Watching the Chicago Bears dismantle the Buffalo Bills in a preseason victory was a whole lot more fun than it had any business being, but that's what happens when your organization is headed in a new direction.
Ryan Poles has made all of the right decisions this offseason, led by hiring Ben Johnson, but one more move could be awaiting just before the regular season. Prior to the Bears' preseason tilt against Buffalo, we heard that the Cincinnati Bengals were officially taking offers for stud pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Could this finally be the time for Poles to swoop in and address one of the only concerns still on the roster?
The Trey Hendrickson dream just became real again for the Bears
For those who maybe haven't followed, the Bengals and Hendrickson have been at an impasse for quite some time, yet have still discussed a new contract, off and on, over the past few months.
Last year's sack leader is set to enter the final year of his current deal and will make $21 million in 2025. Feeling like he deserves more (and he does), Hendrickson has tried making his stance clear. Still, the Bengals have not obliged.
Now, the Bears have an opportunity to do something similar to a move which happened seven years ago when they acquired Khalil Mack in a blockbuster trade.
Hendrickson is 30 years old, which is likely the reason Cincinnati is unwilling to guarantee a big-time deal in this situation. But, he's been highly dependable and durable over the years and hasn't missed a game the past two seasons.
If Poles wanted to go all-in on the Bears after what he saw briefly out of Caleb Williams and the offense against Buffalo, this is the move. Adding Hendrickson to go alongside Montez Sweat would take a ton of pressure off of guys like Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson and others.
Speaking of Booker, he has had himself a heck of a preseason, totaling 4.5 sacks in six quarters played. Giving the Bears a top-tier talent like Hendrickson would further allow Booker to develop and potentially become that lethal third pass rusher in Chicago.
What would it take to land Hendrickson? Would the Bears have to give up a first rounder? They just might have to, but the idea is that it would be later rather than sooner.
Read more: Bears' pivotal position battle did not see much separation after Bills game
This is a situation to monitor.