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4 hours ago
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Trey Hendrickson is dominating NFL headlines this week, and every team but the Cincinnati Bengals is watching from afar with serious intrigue.
The NFL sacks leader last season, Hendrickson is now refusing to participate in Bengals team activities unless he gets a new contract. He's due to make a base salary of $15.8 million in 2025, which is the final year on his current deal at age 30.
The Bengals already spent close to $300 million this offseason on extensions for wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. There's a very real possibility that they won't be willing to pay Hendrickson close to what he believes he's worth.
That's where the possibility of a trade comes into play. And one NFL analyst believes the New England Patriots are a potential fit.
During a recent livestream, Bleacher Report's Mitch Milani came up with a hypothetical trade package that he believed would be enough to get Hendrickson to New England, drastically improving a languishing pass rush.
"The New England Patriots would send a 2026 third-round draft pick and Cole Strange to maybe start at Cincinnati at guard, and maybe give them a little potential at that poor position for them," Milani said.
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"(Patriots head coach) Mike Vrabel could land his ultimate edge-rusher to finish this Mike Vrabel defense in New England."
Hendrickson would be the exclamation point on a major overhaul for the Patriots this offseason, which has included the additions of Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs, Will Campbell, Carlton Davis, and many others.
At the very least, the Hendrickson situation is one to monitor for New England. There will assuredly be stiff competition for an elite edge-rusher, but the Patriots have as much reason as anyone to go after him.
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