Try as they might, the Cincinnati Bengals front office and their players are just unable to see eye to eye when it comes to contractual negotiations. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s extension is still pending, but he is looking to become the highest paid non-quarterback. They have been trying to get a long-term deal done with WR2 Tee Higgins since last season but once again had to resort to tagging him.

And, the latest news from Cincinnati is that they have officially permitted defensive end Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade. For a team looking to make a push for a Super Bowl, this is not the most ideal news. Hendrickson has been one of the best at his position over the last few years and especially since 2023 with back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons. He was the league leader in sacks in the 2024 season and earned First-team All-Pro honors as well as his fourth Pro Bowl selection.

The Bengals have taken the rare step of granting All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate… pic.twitter.com/7P7Hbe2Y9e

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2025

Hendrickson’s Potential Landing Sports

At 30 years of age, Hendrickson now has the opportunity to make a move for one last big contract. With the way Hendrickson is getting to the quarterback and affecting games from a defensive standpoint, teams should be able to offer him the type of deal he wants.

Currently, the Bengals star will be earning more than $18 million in 2025, but he knows where the market is and if reports are true, he would be eyeing a salary north of $30 million per year. Nevertheless, there are teams that can afford him and here we will take a look at the best landing spots for Hendrickson during the 2025 free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

Making a move for the Bengals’ defender makes quite a lot of sense for the Los Angeles Chargers. Having recently released Joey Bosa and with Khalil Mack entering free agency, the Chargers need a veteran presence to take the team forward.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has already worked wonders in his first season in charge, but they will need quality players to take the next step forward. Additionally, the Chargers also have more than enough cap space to make this move possible.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders very nearly did the unprecedented last season with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels almost leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance. The Commanders are assembling a team with great potential and the latest evidence of that was the trade they made with the 49ers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Similar to the Chargers, Washington also has plenty of money to spend and a need to bolster their defensive line. Adding a player of Hendrickson’s caliber will give a big boost to the Commanders’ pass rush ability as well.

Chicago Bears

Chicago has been quite aggressive in the offseason for the past couple of years. After setting up Caleb Williams with plenty of weapons on offense last season, the Bears realized their offensive line needed to be revamped, and have started to do just that with the additions of Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Both players are instant starters and upgrades over their previous guards.

For what it’s worth, the Bears have a decent defense but partnering Hendrickson with Montez Sweat will elevate the defensive line to a higher level. Moreover, Chicago’s new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has worked with Hendrickson during their time together in New Orleans.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are an intriguing option for Hendrickson. Right now, they look to be a little off from the top of the AFC South with the Houston Texans looking like the best bet to reclaim the divisional crown. Indy needs help on both sides of the ball, but reaching out to Hendrickson would be a monumental gain. The veteran could team up with DeForest Bucker and Kwity Paye while acting as a mentor to Laiatu Latu.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have the most cap space this year and they have plenty of cash to spend, so signing Hendrickson to a huge deal should not keep anyone awake at night. They have a young quarterback and need to get many things right on both sides of the ball. Signing Hendrickson would be a start on defense, which will be even more important until the offense finds a way to click.