The Cincinnati Bengals could be forced to move on from edge rusher Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Though head coach Zac Taylor stated at the annual league meetings that the team is “working through the contract process” with Hendrickson, the superstar defender appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday and said communication with the Bengals has been poor.
“Communication has been poor over the last couple of months,” Hendrickson said on Wednesday while on the Pat McAfee show. “That’s something I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly, and it’s been a little bit frustrating.”
Hendrickson also reiterated that he wants to be a Bengal, but it’s clear that contract talks between both sides aren’t going well and the franchise even gave him permission to seek a trade earlier in the offseason.
If Cincinnati decides to trade Hendrickson, they will have a massive hole at edge rusher. The Bengals could look to address the potential need through free agency, but The Big Lead’s Joe Lago searched the most recent mock drafts from NFL analysts and came to the conclusion that many predict Cincinnati will bolster their pass rush by selecting Marshall edge rusher Mike Green with the No.17 overall pick.
Green had a breakout 2024 season at Marshall, posting 17 sacks and 59 quarterback pressures with a 20.2% pass rush win rate. The 2024 Sun Belt Player of the Year has shot up draft boards over the last few weeks and is generating buzz to be a top 10 to 15 pick, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
If Green is on the board when the Bengals are on the clock at pick 17, the team should select him. Green is an electric pass rusher who would be an adequate replacement for Hendrickson and be an immediate contributor for a Cincinnati defense that struggled in 2024.
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