The Washington Commanders’ offseason activity has already improved the team, and we’re less than three weeks away from the 2025 NFL draft, where they will add more weapons and youth to their squad. General manager Adam Peters and his administration are reviewing their evaluation processes to determine which players are their best options with the five picks they have in the draft this year. While they do that, they are simultaneously keeping tabs on free agents and players available for trade.
One of the players who has been granted permission to seek a trade is Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals promised him a new deal would be done this offseason if he produced in 2024, and he did just that, leading the NFL in sacks with 17.5. However, an agreement has not been reached, and Hendrickson isn’t happy with how the Bengals are handling his contract, specifically EVP Katie Blackburn’s public comments at the NFL owners meeting this week.
“That was a little disappointing, because communication has been poor over the last couple months,” Hendrickson said Wednesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” about Blackburn’s comments. “That’s something that I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly. It’s been something that’s been a little bit frustrating.”
The Bengals believe they have offered a competitive extension, although Hendrickson says he won’t budge on some things. “We don’t have any desires of being highest paid or, you know, first in line,” he said. “I’m not going to go into all the details, but like, there are things that I’m willing to do and willing not to budge on. I don’t think I want to play for incentives that will be out of my control. I don’t think I want to play (on a) short-term contract. … I would like to tell my wife, ‘Here’s where we’re going to live. Here’s we’re going to build a family together.’ You know.”
Hendrickson’s personal timetable for getting an extension done is by the time OTAs start next month. In the meantime, the Commanders have every reason to try and get Hendrickson on their side. They still need an edge rusher, and while Hendrickson isn’t necessarily that, having 17.5 sacks two seasons in a row is a big deal. His play could be incredibly beneficial to the Commanders, even if they draft an edge rusher in a few weeks.
Both Hendrickson and Cincinnati indicate that they’d like to remain in business together, but the optics suggest they may be unable to make that happen. If that’s the case, the Commanders should absolutely make a play for Hendrickson.
