There are different routes the Jacksonville Jaguars can take to address the pass rush in the offseason. Some are more realistic than others, but general manager James Gladstone cannot afford to overlook what was a weakness in the loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Just recently, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union suggested the Jags trade for All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby. However, his proposal would leave the team depleted of resources, as they would need to part ways with two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and edge rusher Travon Walker. Simply put, that's a hefty price to pay.
There's no doubt that Crosby would be worth it, as he would turbocharge the Jacksonville defensive front. That said, Gladstone will probably have better alternatives, including one in free agency.
Trey Hendrickson gives the Jaguars an intriguing alternative to Maxx Crosby in free agency
If the Jaguars want to bolster the pass rush without having to give up draft picks (or Travon Walker), they could target Trey Hendrickson in free agency. The fourth-time Pro Bowl will be one of the most coveted defensive needs in the open market despite the fact that he dealt with injuries in 2025.
A third-round pick in the 2018 draft, Hendrickson needed a bit of time to hit his stride. However, he's been highly productive for the Cincinnati Bengals, registering a combined 74.5 sacks the past six seasons.
Hendrickson has been looking for a contract that reflects his status as one of the premier pass rushers in the league, but Cincy hasn't caved. Last offseason, he made it clear that he wanted an extension and even requested a trade. Ultimately, the Florida Atlantic product got a raise in 2025 but didn't get the long-term contract he's been looking for. He's now slated to hit the open market.
The Jags will be cap-strapped this offseason. They're currently $17 million over the cap, so they won't have much room to maneuver in free agency. That said, Jacksonville could free up space by cutting ties with a handful of players and reworking a few deals.
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Why it makes sense for the Jaguars to sign Trey Hendrickson
The Jaguars had a pair of solid pass rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. However, the duo and the rest of the defensive front struggled to bring the heat throughout 2025. This was evident in the loss to the Buffalo Bills, with quarterback Josh Allen having no trouble slicing through the secondary. Had Jacksonville managed to bring in the heat and rattle him, the outcome of the game might've been different.
Late in the season, the Jags moved Walker inside and gave Danny Striggow more playing time on the edge. If they locked up Trey Hendrickson, it would allow Walker to rush the quarterback from the defensive tackle position.
The issue, as noted before, is that the Jaguars don't have much cap space, and Hendrickson may command top-market compensation despite the fact that he missed time with injuries in 2025. This may prompt the front office to turn to the draft to bolster the pass rush. In fact, Walker won't have to play inside if the team's brass adds reinforcement at defensive tackle. Nose tackle Lee Hunter would offer an intriguing option in Round 2.
The bottom line is that Trey Hendrickson would immediately upgrade the pass rush opposite Josh Hines-Allen. That said, the Jaguars may have trouble affording him, so they'll look for cheaper alternatives in free agency.