Sportsnaut
After Joe Burrow went down and the Cincinnati Bengals lost four consecutive games, All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson appeared destined for a trade. One win later, that script has reportedly flipped.
The Bengals’ Thursday night takedown of AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers changed the calculus. At 3-4 and with veteran Joe Flacco under center, Cincinnati suddenly looks like a team that could salvage its season rather than sell off assets.
“Bengals All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is drawing attention around the league, with the 49ers showing the most interest. Cincinnati isn’t shopping him, and after the Bengals’ Thursday night win, most do not expect him to get moved,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.
Hendrickson and the Bengals battled through a contract dispute this offseason. Coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, Hendrickson wanted a raise, but the sides couldn’t reach a long-term agreement. They eventually settled on a reworked one-year, $30 million deal that makes Hendrickson a free agent after the season.
That short-term solution, combined with the team’s 2-4 start, made him an obvious trade candidate. Now, the momentum has shifted.
Hendrickson missed Thursday’s game with a hip injury but has been stellar when healthy. Through six games, he’s posted four sacks, three tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one pass deflection.
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