ClutchPoints
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has been an unmitigated disaster in 2025. Sitting at 3-4-1 through eight weeks, the Cowboys have surrendered more than 400 yards per game, ranking dead last in the NFL. They’re giving up 260.3 passing yards per contest, the most in the league, and opposing quarterbacks are posting a staggering 110.6 passer rating against them—a mark no QB in NFL history has achieved for an entire career. The defensive collapse has been particularly acute since trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay before the season, leaving Jerry Jones and company desperately searching for a solution.
Enter Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, the four-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024. With the Bengals struggling at 3-4 and quarterback Joe Burrow’s long-term availability uncertain, Cincinnati finds itself at a crossroads. Reports indicate the Cowboys have already called about Hendrickson but were rebuffed. However, with the right package, Dallas can construct an offer that addresses both teams’ needs while giving the Bengals assets they simply cannot refuse.
The Cowboys acquired two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark from Green Bay in the Parsons deal. Jerry Jones has made it clear he’s willing to use that draft capital to fix the defense, stating Dallas is “in position to make that trade” for defensive help. With over $31 million in current cap space and the financial flexibility to absorb Hendrickson’s $29 million salary for 2025, the Cowboys have both the resources and the desperation to make this happen.
For Cincinnati, the equation is equally compelling. The Bengals never had interest in keeping Hendrickson beyond 2025. They offered him a three-year, $95 million contract with no guarantees after the first year—essentially phantom money designed to avoid a long-term commitment to a player who turns 31 in December. Hendrickson will hit unrestricted free agency in March 2026, and the Bengals are projected to have minimal cap space. Rather than lose him for nothing or spend roughly $36 million on a franchise tag, Cincinnati should cash in now while his value remains high.
The Bengals are seeking “a young player who could contribute both this season and in the future, along with a mid-round draft pick”. Dallas can deliver exactly that—and more. Ian Rapoport’s reporting makes clear that Cincinnati wants immediate help plus future assets, a framework this proposal satisfies completely. With Hendrickson already dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of the second half against the Jets, the risk of holding him through the season only increases.
Dallas Cowboys receive:
Cincinnati Bengals receive:
This package gives Cincinnati everything they need to rebuild while remaining competitive. The Packers’ 2026 first-round pick currently projects...
