The Chicago Bears did an admirable job addressing their roster needs this offseason. Through a mix of trades, free agency, and the draft, they feel like a team that upgraded at some important spots. That is especially true on offense, where they found three new starters for the offensive line and two highly talented playmakers: Colston Loveland and Luther Burden. Still, many fear one area is too much of a question mark. That is the pass rush. Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett should help, but neither comes across as a true sack specialist. This is why many still wonder if the Bears could make a late play for Trey Hendrickson.
He is everything the team needs, having led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season. Though in his 30s, there is no reason to think he’s in danger of declining. Not only that, but he also has ties to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen from their time together in New Orleans. The problem is the price tag. Nobody knows what it would cost to get him. ESPN finally provided some clarity on that in a recent column.
Jeremy Fowler’s offer:
Bengals get: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
Colts get: Hendrickson
Dan Graziano’s offer:
Bengals get: 2026 second-round pick
Bills get: Hendrickson
Ben Solak’s offer:
Bengals get: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick (can become a third-rounder with performance conditions)
Lions get: Hendrickson, 2026 fifth-round pick
Trey Hendrickson will likely require a 2nd round pick.
That and a significant contract extension, which is the reason he’s holding out in the first place. Are the Bears prepared to pay that price tag? GM Ryan Poles has already shown a willingness to swing trades like this. He sent a 2nd round pick to Washington for Montez Sweat in 2023 before handing him a lucrative extension. The key difference is that Sweat was a few years younger and didn’t cost as much money annually. Trading for Trey Hendrickson would be a clear signal from the Bears that they feel they’re one piece away from a deep playoff run. There is no doubt a Sweat-Hendrickson combo would be hard to contain. The issue would be how expensive it’d be and how long they can stay productive.
