Bengals grant NFL sack leader permission to seek trade

The 30-year-old pass-rusher leads the league with 35 sacks over the past two seasons.

Although the plan was to retain all three of these players, it was an unrealistic expectation. Chase is expected to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, and Joe Burrow is one of the league's highest-paid QBs ($55 million per season). In addition, Burrow has made it abundantly clear that he wants to play with Chase and Higgins for the foreseeable future.

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins — $26.2 million guaranteed — with the intention of reaching a long-term deal with the 26-year-old receiver.

The Bengals trading Hendrickson could help keep the Burrow-Chase-Higgins trio intact.

However, defense was the culprit for the Bengals' downfall in 2024. Trading away the only pass productive pass-rusher on the roster could prove be a massive mistake.

Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract, which includes no guaranteed money. By trading the star edge-rusher, Cincinnati will save $16 million in cap space while eating $2.66 million in dead cap. It would also leave the Bengals with $67.7 million in cap space.

Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders have been monitoring the Hendrickson situation. 

This development shows that the organization wants to keep Burrow content, reducing the risk of the quarterback becoming disgruntled.

If the Bengals extend Chase, re-sign Higgins and trade Hendrickson, they will have to invest most of their draft capital and the remaining cap space on the defensive side of the ball.