GLENDALE – One of the biggest stories of the offseason is the handling of Cincinnati Bengals defensive edge Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation. The negotiations have gotten ugly with neither side close to a deal, leading to trade rumors surrounding the All-Pro. The Arizona Cardinals are one of the many teams interested in trading for Hendrickson, to help their pass rush next season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton released an article on five contenders that should trade for the superstar defensive end, having the Cardinals number one, giving up a 2026 2nd and 5th round pick for Hendrickson.
Cincinnati Bengals Trey Hendrickson speaks at a press conference after practice, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Downtown Cincinnati. Syndication: The Enquirer
Moton on why Cardinals should trade for Hendrickson:
“Aside from (Josh) Sweat, Arizona doesn’t have a reliable pass rusher on the edge. The club re-signed Baron Browning, who registered two sacks in eight games after he came over from the Denver Broncos in a trade last November. BJ Ojulari missed the entire 2024 campaign with a torn ACL. Fifth-year pro Zaven Collins has played off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. He’s yet to top five sacks in a single season.”
Josh Sweat speaks to members of the media at the Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on March 13, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Arizona’s defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme is an odd-man fronts, which wouldn’t fit Hendrickson’s previous teams. The 30-year-old played in a 4-3 scheme with the New Orleans Saints and the Bengals. It would be a adjustment for either Hendrickson or Rallis to adjust the defense to fit around his personnel.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon ran a 4-3 when with the Philadelphia Eagles, so he would know how to use Hendrickson in the team’s front seven. General manager Monti Ossenfort spent draft picks in the 2024 and 2025 to improve the pass rush, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another Pro Bowler edge rusher in Hendrickson.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks about Walter Nolen with head coach Jonathan Gannon during a news conference inside the Arizona Cardinals training facility on April 24, 2025, in Tempe. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The roster defensive line has stellar depth with Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, Walter Nolen, Dalvin Tomlinson, and possibly Hendrickson if the franchise pulls the trigger. Arizona currently has $32 million in cap space, which drops to $21 million next season.
However, Gannon and Ossenfort is entering their third season with the organization and have hopes of making the playoffs for the first time with them in charge. Trading for a player like Hendrickson, who has recorded 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, is what it’ll take to take that leap into being contenders.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
