New England Patriots Eyeing Star Defensive End

Cincinnati Bengals Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson is once again on the trade block, as the New England Patriots have reportedly shown interest in him. The four-time Pro Bowler has been with the Bengals since 2021 after leaving the New Orleans Saints and signing a four-year $60 million contract with the franchise. With the NFL season scheduled to start on Sept. 4, the Patriots have not finalized the deal because of a few roadblocks.

Who Might New England Consider Trading? 

When it comes to who the Patriots are willing to give up, a first or second round pick is a considerable option, according to the team’s Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf. Although New England currently has the most salary cap space in the league at about $60 million, one of the main things holding them back from making the trade is Cincinnati’s asking price. The Bengals want a draft pick and a defensive player in return for Hendrickson.

Hendrickson’s Impact On the Field

During the 2024 NFL season, Hendrickson led the league in sacks with 17.5, an impressive stat considering the team was ranked one of the worst defenses last season at the 25th spot. The Patriots were not much higher as they finished in the 22nd spot. It makes sense why they would want to acquire a defensive player. Hendrickson was also named First Team All-Pro and received a Pro Bowl selection last season.

Should the Patriots Make the Trade?

While it would not be a bad idea for the Patriots to acquire a high-caliber defensive player like Hendrickson, it doesn’t seem like the Bengals would be getting anyone back who is as good as Hendrickson. The draft pick is already going to be a dice roll in its own right, not to mention that there are no exceptional defensive players on the New England roster. It logistically wouldn’t make sense for the Bengals to finalize the trade, but at the same time, it equally makes sense for the Patriots to pursue Hendrickson.

With their cap space, they have a good opportunity to add a valuable piece to their defensive lineup. Although it might not be a significant improvement because Hendrickson is just one man, having a defensive league leader does not seem like the worst business decision in the world. Quite frankly, Cincinnati’s asking price doesn’t seem like too much for a player like Hendrickson.

The fact that New England reportedly believes that is almost an insult to a player with his capabilities. All of this to say that if the Patriots decide to go through with the trade, it should be a step in the right direction based on the things that Hendrickson has done during his time in Cincinnati.