Dawgs By Nature
All eyes for the Cleveland Browns are on the quarterback position, which could have a very interesting last week of preseason. Joe Flacco is the leader in the clubhouse. Kenny Pickett hasn’t been able to practice in a few weeks. Shedeur Sanders looked good in the first preseason game, while Dillon Gabriel had a lot of good moments, with a couple of bad ones, on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Not only are the Browns 2-0 in preseason, but most reporting coming out of joint practices with the defending champion Eagles was that Cleveland was dominating. Now, a rumor has popped up that the Browns talented defense might be looking to add another star pass rusher. With Trey Hendrickson unhappy with the Cincinnati Bengals and Micah Parsons in a similar boat with the Dallas Cowboys, GM Andrew Berry being active on the phone lines is interesting to note:
As Shultz noted, a trade between Cleveland and Cincinnati is unlikely but still notable. We were unable to find a deal between the two teams, but everyone remembers the failed AJ McCarron trade, where Browns GM Sashi Brown “somehow” failed to get the fax sent in time.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also noted that Hendrickson trade talks are ongoing, but does not note which teams are involved.
Pairing Myles Garrett, Mason Graham, and Michael Hall Jr. (when healthy) with Hendrickson could make things much easier on the rest of the Cleveland defense and whoever is the starting quarterback as well. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year, his second in a row with that number, and has recorded 13.5 or more sacks in four of the last five seasons.
We have been told that the Browns are monitoring the Parsons situation as well, whether for now or the following offseason. With two first-round picks in 2026, Cleveland could be in the driver’s seat to make a deal with the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones if A) they are open to a deal and B) the Browns believe in one of their young quarterbacks as the future of the team.
A trade for Hendrickson would come much cheaper, given his age. While Cincinnati might be looking for a young “impact” player or two along with a draft pick, they would likely need to settle for a quality young player and a third-round pick, or similar compensation.
Do you think the Browns should trade for Hendrickson if it cost a player and a Day 2 pick next year while also having to give him a raise and/or new contract?
Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below
