Bears predicted to make splash signing of $50 million Pro Bowler in free agency

The Chicago Bears need more juice along the edge.

The Bears finished with 35 sacks in 2025, which was tied for the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Austin Booker had a better-than-expected season with 4.5 sacks, but the Bears need a more sure thing opposite Montez Sweat.

A dream move for Chicago would be landing Cincinnati Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who Spotrac projects will receive a two-year, $50.8 million contract in free agency.

In an article predicting landing spots for some of the top free agents this offseason, Stadium Rant's Cameron Willey predicts Hendrickson will indeed end up with the Bears during the offseason.

"Trey Hendrickson’s time with the Cincinnati Bengals is likely over after last year’s contract dispute," Willey wrote. "The Bears are in the market for a big edge rusher, and Hendrickson could be a great fit.

"While Chicago isn’t exactly rolling in cap space, its roster is still young, which can help it contend now while many stars are still under rookie contracts."

Hendrickson would be a massive addition for Chicago's defense.

Before being plagued by injury and being limited to just seven games last season, the four-time Pro Bowler led the NFL with 35 sacks combined over the two years prior, cementing him as one of the very best at his position.

Having a duo of Sweat and Hendrickson would amount to a nightmare for opposing offenses and would present an upgrade for not just Chicago's pass-rush, but the defense as a whole.

The one problem with this prediction is Hendrickson may never hit the open market.

While we don't expect him back with Cincinnati given Hendrickson's frustration over not being able to get a contract extension done in recent years, the Bengals have the option to tag and trade Hendrickson instead of letting him walk.

Cincinnati is going to get a compensatory pick for Hendrickson leaving, but the Bengals might feel like they can squeeze a bit more out of a team via trade.

Even if that happens, the Bears should still be aggressive in pursuing Hendrickson. After all, the Bears' Super Bowl window is now officially open and they should be going all in to make moves that can help them get there.

Adding Hendrickson qualifies as one of those moves.

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