Every Team Should Be in on Trey Hendrickson

What an offseason it has been for the Cincinnati Bengals. They did manage to keep Tee Higgins and the trio of Joe Burrow, Jamaar Chase, and him and together. But it certainly comes at a flat. Bengals Trey Hendrickson has still not signed a contract. Amid the disputes, the Bengals are willing to listen to offers for their star edge rusher. Every team should look to acquire him.

Bengals Trey Hendrickson Makes Any Team Better

This would be a major blow to the Bengals defense. This was a defensive unit that struggled often and allowed the fourth most points per game. They couldn’t stop a nosebleed and it led to having the offense playing flawless football. The one major bright spot was Hendrickson. For a Bengals team that finished 21st overall in sacks, he went on to lead the league in that department. He was a force to be reckoned with.

Hendrickson has proven to be a legitimate threat on the defensive front. For two seasons in a row now, he has put together 17.5 sack seasons. It is the fourth time reaching the double digit mark for sacks. He continues to be a tackle machine and set a career high in tackles for loss this year. He did have six passes defended and 83 pressures. His presence was felt and if he out of the fold, that Bengals pass rush is in trouble. The next closest pass rusher had five sacks. That’s a significant gap.

This a player that any team should look to acquire. He instantly makes your club better and if you have trouble getting to the quarterback, look no further. A team like the New England Patriots comes to mind. Having the space and the need makes this a perfect fit.  If you have the assets and the financial capital, you are bolstering your defense with a legitimate talent. At the end of the day, that’s what this boils down to. Money.

It Comes Down to Money for the Bengals

Hendrickson said back in May he wouldn’t play under his current contract with the club. He has a base salary of $15.8 million, but this is about the guaranteed cash. The big issue with the contract was the guaranteed money. The Bengals were only willing to go one year in guaranteed cash. Evidently, he wants more. The Steelers are going through a similar issue with defensive end Cameron Hayward. Although, the Steelers defense is in much better position to succeed if Hayward sits out.

The Bengals have a tough decision on their hands. Pony up and pay the money, or watch your defense make life harder for your franchise quarterback. But if they are willing to listen, plenty of teams will come calling.