Washington Commanders Trade Rumors: Bengals grant DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade

Another premier defensive end hits the trade market

The Washington Commanders have a lot of needs as they enter year 2 of the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn/Jayden Daniels era, and defensive end is one of their biggest heading into free agency next week. They patched together a pass rush through free agency and late round draft picks last year, but they’re going to have to do it again as they look to keep their momentum going from last year’s surprise playoff run.

Myles Garrett was the big name on the trade block after requesting a trade from the Cleveland Browns during Super Bowl week. The Commanders were obviously linked to him, and then rumors about interest from the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles took over those headlines. The Browns say he’s not available, and the smoke around a Commanders trade has died down.

Enter Trey Hendrickson being granted permission to seek a trade by team that drafted him, the Cincinnati Bengals. The 8-year veteran will turn 31 in December, and would carry a $16 million cap hit for the team that trades for him. He had 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, and has 77 sacks in his career. He was voted to the Pro Bowl the last four seasons, and got his first All-Pro nod last season.

The Washington Commanders need to improve their pass rush and their best pass rusher last season was Dante Fowler who will be a free agent next week. They only have six picks in next month’s draft after trading their 5th round pick to the 49ers for WR Deebo Samuel. Garrett was expected to get multiple high picks once the Browns finally relent and trade him, but Hendrickson’s trade value could be lower. He will also need a new contract and would be looking for a commitment the Bengals weren’t giving him.