As the Seattle Seahawks shift into postseason mode, all eyes are turning to a potential trade for elite edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, currently in a standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hendrickson has been a force, delivering consecutive 17.5-sack seasons and finishing as a runner-up for 2024 Defensive Player of the Year . But at age 30 and seeking a bigger payday, he’s reportedly requested a trade and has permission to explore offers .
NFL analysts like Daniel Jeremiah and Mike Salk see Seattle as a perfect fit. Jeremiah applauded the idea, saying, “If you throw in a guy … who’s gonna get you 12–15 sacks … in a division where you’ve gotta hunt Matthew Stafford, 100%, I would be in on that” . Salk echoed that sentiment, pointing to Hendrickson as the missing elite piece to take Seattle’s fast defense into top-tier contention .
Adding Hendrickson would create a formidable edge quartet alongside Boye Mafe, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Uchenna Nwosu—rounding out a defense that already boasts a strong secondary . This could drive Seahawks fans back into playoff contention and ignite Lumen Field once again .
But barriers remain. The Bengals are unlikely to let a star go cheaply—they reportedly demand a second-rounder or higher, and teams have been put off by the high asking price . Hendrickson’s age and contract demands (potentially $60–70M over two years) complicate life under the salary cap too .
Even so, Seattle’s front office may see this as a calculated risk—offering mid-round draft capital (without sacrificing top young talent) and extending Hendrickson post-trade. It’s a bold swing, but one that could vault their defense into elite status and turn a good unit into a true contender .
Seahawks’ Next Move? Chase Bengals’ Sack Leader Trey Hendrickson
