The Cincinnati Bengals continue to make life more difficult for themselves by not paying stars like receiver Tee Higgins or edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
On Saturday, the Cleveland Browns extended star pass rusher Myles Garrett to a monster deal worth $40 million per year. The contract only inflates Hendrickson's value, who might not reach Garrett's market-setting numbers, but is expected to surpass $30 million on his next deal.
Cincinnati might not be ready to hand out such an extension, but teams with rookie quarterback contracts are. As such, the Washington Commanders have been speculative favorites to add the star, and other teams with similar aspirations may be joining them.
Bleacher Report's Hendrickson trade prediction article landed the Bengals a top-10 pick by sending him to another rising NFC team, the Chicago Bears.
"A veteran core around Williams can help in the quarterback's development," Brent Sobleski wrote. "The Bears already field a talented defense, though it took a step back in 2024. Bookends of Hendrickson and Montez Sweat will be dynamic tone-setters for the unit.
"Sweat managed only 5.5 sacks last year, though. He didn't have a running mate on the opposite side who could muster more than 3.5. Hendrickson immediately makes the Bears better and takes them one step closer to being competitive in the NFC North."
There is little debate about Chicago's need for another premier pass rusher and Hendrickson's ability to provide it. The Bears had 41.5 sacks as a team in 2024. Hendrickson has produced 17.5 in each of the last two seasons.
Sobleski's hypothetical trade sends Hendrickson, the No.17 pick, and a fourth-round selection to Chicago for No. 10 and a third-round pick.
Both sides stand to benefit from a potential deal. The pick value in trading up seven spots shouldn't be overlooked, and it could mean landing a high-level defensive prospect like Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart or Michigan corner Will Johnson. The Bears might consider adding Hendrickson and keeping a first-round pick as a win in itself, too.
The biggest roadblock to said deal might be the youth movement new head coach Ben Johnson could provide. If Chicago's target for a deep playoff run is 2027 or later, it makes less sense to pay Hendrickson a massive deal as he marches further into his 30s (he's entering his age-31 campaign).
The Bears could reasonably decide to take a top-10 prospect and look for alternative solutions along the edge, but the idea that the Bengals could trade up in the draft with Hendrickson deserves legitimate consideration, regardless of whether Chicago is the right fit.
