With the Chicago Bears missing out on acquiring star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, a lot of fans are switching their focus to Cincinnati Bengals impending free agent, DE Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, 31, has racked up 236 total tackles, 81 sacks, and 15 forced fumbles in nine seasons with the Bengals and New Orleans Saints and is expected to leave Cincinnati and find a new home this offseason.
“To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level,” Hendrickson wrote. “The last five years have been filled with great wins and tough losses. Personal achievements and humbling adversities. I was and always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo and honor the history behind it.”
However, according to Bears insider Brad Biggs, he doesn’t expect Chicago to be in the Hendrickson sweepstakes.
Brad Biggs Pours Cold Water on Bears’ Potential Pursuit of Trey Hendrickson
Appearing on 104.3 The Score, Biggs laid out his reasoning why Chicago likely won’t go after Hendrickson during free agency:
“I don’t think they’re in the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes,” Biggs said. “It just doesn’t make real good sense to me at this point. You understand the dangers of free agency and where teams can make mistakes and we’ve certainly seen over the years, the Bears make more than their fair share of mistakes in free agency. A lot of people believe that if you’re gonna make that splash move, if you’re gonna really look for that jolt in free agency, you’re trying to sign that guy that’s going into Year 5, maybe Year 6. The guy that’s in the sweet spot of his career. Trey Hendrickson heading into Year 10, I don’t think that’s the best move for them.”
Hendrickson is seen by many around the league as this year’s top option at pass rusher. Daniel Popper of The Athletic has him projected to sign a three-year, $99 million deal, writing, “Hendrickson has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past five seasons. He has the third-most sacks in the league since 2020 with 74.5, and he played in only seven games last season due to a core-muscle injury that required surgery.”
This is merely Biggs’ opinion on the Bears’ situation surrounding Hendrickson, and there’s no doubt that Hendrickson is an elite pass rusher, but with Chicago sitting with $25.3 million in cap space and multiple holes to address, it’ll be hard to sign Hendrickson and have money to address other positions of need.
“I don’t think they’re in the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes,” says Biggs.
Cheaper Options at Edge Rusher
Some cheaper options at edge rusher that the Bears could go after during free agency who fit defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system, with contract projections from The Athletic, include the following:
- Jadeveon Clowney, age 33 – 1 year, $12 million
- Cameron Jordan, 37 – 1 year, $8 million
- Joseph Ossai, 26 – 3 years, $33 million
- Kingsley Enagbare, 26 – 3 years, $18.75 million
It’s not a flashy list, but if the Bears do go the cheaper route when it comes to addressing the edge position, it could very well be signing one of these players.
Regardless, Chicago must bring in talent on the defensive line during free agency.
Bears Insider Pours Cold Water on Potential Trey Hendrickson Pursuit