The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't beef up the defensive trenches in free agency but plan to do it in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether they make upgrades inside or outside remains to be seen, but if they want to supercharge their pass rush, they should strongly consider trading for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Earlier this offseason, the Bengals gave Hendrickson permission to request a trade but later reversed course and began contract talks. Unfortunately, negotiations haven't been fruitful enough. Understandably, that's led to frustration for the four-time Pro Bowl nod, something he discussed in a recent apperance on the Pat McAfee Show.
Hendrick told host Pat McAfee that that communication between him and the Bengals has been poor, pointing out that that he's frustrated with their lack of urgency and inability to communicate their plans.
"Whenever we have something resolved in my family, my wife and I, we discuss it, and we get to a point where we know we're reaching a decision. I've been open and transparent about however it looks for me in Cincinnati or not," Hendrickson responded when asked how communication has been with Cincinnati. "I want the Bengals to benefit from that. Through this process, communication, when I say it's been poor. It's been like here and there."
Hendrickson continued, "And respect to Ja'Marr and Tee. I don't want to take anything away from all the great things they've accomplished in their careers. They deserve everything that they've gotten, and no doubt in my mind, they're going to excel in the National Football League. I have a tremendous respect for both of them. But when it comes to my situation, it would have been nice to know in some ways, like, 'Hey, we're gonna put you in the queue.' No problem with me. My wife and I try to be as humble as possible, as Christ-loving people.
"So we don't have any desires of being highest paid or first in line. We try to be as patient as possible when you have things like OTAs coming and guys like Sam Hubbard, who's a tremendous captain for our team last year, that leaves a vacancy for that, and I'm excited to fill that. But how do we reach that before we get there? And those are the things that matter when you're talking about a Super Bowl, it's in the little things. in the little details."
A third-round pick in the 2017 draft, Hendrickson got off to a slow start to his NFL career, registering just 6.5 sacks. However, he's logged 57 the past five years and earned several accolades along the way. Not surprisingly, the 2024 First-Team All-Pro selection wants a contract that reflects his status as one of his status as one of the top pass rushers in the league.
Nevertheless, Cincy doesn't appear to be in a hurry to reward Hendrickson. Just recently, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn ruffled feathers when she said that he should be happy with certain rates, pointing out that they've already made him an offer. Based on his comments, it may not be good enough, which is why he opened up about the urgency or lack thereof to get something done.
Below's Hendrickson's appearance on the Pat McAfee show.
"When I say that communication has been poor I mean that it's been here and there..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 2, 2025
We don't have any desire to be the highest paid and we've tried to be as patient as possible"
Trey Hendrickson #PMSLive https://t.co/SMzJL6gWFD pic.twitter.com/p53eUYt7TJ
Related story: 3 blockbuster trades the Jaguars could pull off on draft day
Why the Jaguars need to call the Bengals about Trey Hendrickson
Aside from having to give Trey Hendrickson a contract extension, they would have to compensate the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a long-winded way to say that that trading for him wouldn't be cheap, but it would be worth it.
The Jaguars probably wouldn't give up the fifth overall pick in this year's draft in exchange for Hendrickson, but maybe a second in 2025 and a third (or fourth) next year could get a deal done. Either way, they got the draft capital and cap space to pull it off.
In Hendrickson, Jacksonville would get a dominant player who would round out their pass-rush rotation. Moreover, they could use the No. 5 pick to address another position, maybe wide receiver or the offensive line. Simply put, trading for him wouldn't hinder their ability to make upgrades in other areas of the roster.
You could make the case that trading for Trey Hendrickson is a luxury the Jacksonville Jaguars cannot afford, but the truth is that they need as many playmakers as they can get their hands on if they want to turn things around in 2025. He certainly checks off that box.