It’s no secret that the Atlanta Falcons are looking for an edge rusher. You’ve been planning to take that path in this year’s NFL Draft for a while, right? Well, maybe. Although there are some standout edge rushers in this year’s draft class, including a handful of high-profile Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta fans know where I’m going with that. A veteran may be waiting for a call somewhere out there.
That veteran may be Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. Hendrickson is in the final year of his contract, which includes $15.8 million in non-guaranteed money. He has remarked that he is not in the business of playing for bonuses to end his career. Recently, Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn remarked that Hendrickson should be pleased with the conditions of the agreement.
Hendrickson would respond, “That was a little disappointing because communication has been poor over the last couple of months.” That’s something I value highly. They have not contacted my agency directly. It has been a little difficult, but this is the nature of the industry.
Hendrickson, 30, is searching for security at this stage. If Atlanta hadn’t still had Kirk Cousins’ enormous contract in play, the team might have moved to sign the veteran edge rusher sooner. Hendrickson has half the number of sacks in the last two seasons as Atlanta had in total in 2024, with 17.5 sacks.
If Atlanta hadn’t invested more than $100 million in Cousins, they could swiftly build around Penix Jr. to lead the charge on both sides of the ball. Although Falcons supporters would love to have Hendrickson’s services to ride it out in Atlanta until retirement with a massive contract and make a significant contribution, now is not the time.
The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly interested in acquiring Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson to bolster their pass rush. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in the 2024 season, has expressed dissatisfaction with his current contract and is seeking a long-term extension. Despite his performance, contract negotiations with the Bengals have stalled, leading Hendrickson to request a trade in April 2024.
However, the Bengals have been reluctant to part with their star pass rusher. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin acknowledged Hendrickson’s value but emphasized the team’s financial constraints, stating, “We can’t have guys at the top of the payroll in every position, right?”
For the Falcons, acquiring Hendrickson would significantly enhance their defensive capabilities. Nonetheless, the complexities of negotiating a trade and meeting Hendrickson’s contract demands present substantial challenges. As of now, no agreement has been reached, leaving the situation unresolved.
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