With the trades that the Chicago Bears have made this week, acquiring Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to presumably play each of the guard spots on the offensive line, there has been speculation that the Bears are gearing up for a high-end pursuit of an addition to their defensive line.
There isn't necessarily a blockbuster name available on the free-agent market. There are certainly players on the market who have been superstars in the past; Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Josh Sweat are the names that come to mind but each has questions about how much they have left in the tank.
However, a blockbuster name became available on the trade market, and we're not talking about Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons. The Cincinnati Bengals have granted permission for star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade. For the Bengals, it comes down to a money issue. The Bengals are in the middle of trying to sign wide receivers Ja"Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to a long-term contract. Hendrickson, who is entering the final year of his current contract, will likely be the odd man out.
Hendrickson finished the 2024 season with 17.5 sacks and was the runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. Hendrickson was an All-Pro with the Bengals last season while also earning a Pro Bowl selection in each of his four seasons with Cincinnati.
As Hendrickson now seeks a trade, there is a connection to the current Bears' coaching staff. Hendrickson began his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. Hendrickson was drafted by the Saints in 2017 when Dennis Allen was the team's defensive coordinator. Allen, now the defensive coordinator of the Bears, was Hendrickson's defensive coordinator for his entire time in New Orleans.
Chicago Bears will likely sit out Trey Hendrickson trade sweepstakes
Considering the draft capital the Bears have already used in acquiring Jackson and Thuney, it would seem unlikely that Ryan Poles would be willing to give up more draft capital. Not to mention, Hendrickson is looking for a team that will undoubtedly top the four-year contract extension the Bears gave to Montez Sweat worth just under $100MM. It doesn't feel like the Bears are at the point in their roster construction where they would be willing to do that.
Instead, the expectation should be that the Bears will pursue someone like Mack on a short-term deal. Mack would address the Bears' need for an established pass-rusher while also allowing the team to keep their remaining draft capital.