New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots have expressed openness to making a significant trade before the 2025 season begins, but one possible option is likely off the table.
The Cincinnati Bengals announced Monday night that they reached a reworked contract with Trey Hendrickson. He’ll now make $30 million this season, a $14 million raise over his prior deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A preseason hold-in, Hendrickson did not practice with the team while seeking a new deal. The star pass rusher claimed he wouldn’t play this season without a new contract.
The 30-year-old will remain an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini said Hendrickson will return to Cincinnati’s practice on Tuesday.
Eliot Wolf, New England’s executive vice president of player personnel, recently indicated that the Patriots would be willing to trade a first- or second-round draft pick to acquire an impact player. While rumors linked the team to Hendrickson, they reportedly made little leeway on any deal with the Bengals.
Hendrickson has compiled 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. The former third-round pick finished second to cornerback Patrick Surtain III in the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year voting, receiving 11 first-place votes and garnering a first-team All-Pro distinction for the first time.
Despite Hendrickson’s individual dominance, the Bengals ranked 25th in points and yards allowed. They missed the playoffs for the second straight year despite an MVP-caliber campaign from Joe Burrow, so the defense would have begun the new season in major trouble without Hendrickson.
The Patriots saw another possible target end his contract standoff when wide receiver Terry McLaurin signed a three-year extension with the Washington Commanders on Monday morning. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons stands out as the premier player with an unresolved contract dispute entering Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.
