Cowboys, 49ers, Ravens and Chargers named landing spots for $50 million star free agent

The Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers all have at least one thing in common: a need along the edge.

The Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last offseason and simply could not replace his sack production, which came as no surprise.

In Baltimore and San Francisco, their pass-rushes were depressingly bad, with the Niners and Ravens ranking 32nd and 30th, respectively, in sacks.

The Chargers did finished tied for the 10th-most sacks in the NFL, but Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are both slated to be free agents and it isn't clear if either one will return.

One player all four teams should have an eye on this offseason is Cincinnati Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is a pending free agent.

CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles says the Ravens are the best possible landing spot for Hendrickson, but notes that the 49ers, Cowboys and Chargers could also be suitors.

The Ravens finished 31st in sack rate, and they could lose many edge defenders in free agency. There's a clear need here, and Hendrickson fits the Ravens' win-now window. Other suitors: 49ers, Chargers, Cowboys

Hendrickson is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, as evidenced by his leading the league with 35 sacks from 2023 through 2024.

The 31-year-old is coming off a down season, but that was because of injury rather than some kind of decline. Despite that, he will be one of the most coveted players on the open market given the value placed on edge rushers and his past production.

Hendrickson leaving the Bengals feels like a foregone conclusion after he became very disgruntled over his contract situation in 2025.

However, it remains to be seen if he will actually make it to the open market, as the Bengals could (and should) opt to tag and trade him before that happens.

Due to his age, down 2025 season and need for an expensive contract, Hendrickson might not cost a ton in a trade.

It could take as little as a third-round pick to acquire him, which would be well worth the investment for the potential upgrade he could be.

Spotrac projects Hendrickson will receive a two-year, $50 million contract, which is a very reasonable price if the four-time Pro Bowler stays healthy and returns to form in 2026.

In terms of cap space, the Chargers are in the best position to sign Hendrickson, and then it's a wide margin between Los Angeles and the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys.

But when it comes to making space for an elite player like Hendrickson, teams will do what they must, so don't let the cap space numbers fool you into thinking the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys can't compete, because they definitely can.

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