Commanders inexplicably include rising star in wild Trey Hendrickson trade pitch

We're approaching the business end of preparations for the 2025 campaign. And the Washington Commanders are still being linked with a bold trade to solve their pass-rushing options.

Speculation connecting the Commanders to Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson began almost immediately after the 2024 season concluded. He remains unhappy with his contract situation and is willing to sit out the entire year if his demands aren't met. The tight-fisted AFC North club isn't budging, so it's a precarious matter that could legitimately go either way.

Trade talk involving Hendrickson has died down somewhat. It won't take much to reignite it, especially if the All-Pro edge threat goes through on this threat and skips Cincinnati's mandatory minicamp and training camp.

Inevitably, the Commanders will come up. They don't have many (if any) disposable resources after trades for Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Laremy Tunsil. But Seth Walder from ESPN thought there was a way to overcome this if they eventually threw their hat into the ring.

NFL analyst deems Johnny Newton expendable if Commanders want Trey Hendrickson

Walder's trade pitch raised a few eyebrows. It included a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder. However, the inclusion of second-year defensive lineman Johnny Newton was the most contentious part by a considerable margin.

Washington is in win-now mode, but Dorance Armstrong is its best edge rusher. Adding [Trey] Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best pass rush win rate at edge last season (24%), would be a huge boost. Losing [Johnny] Newton would make an old defense older, but the Commanders have strong veteran options on the interior defensive line in Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr. By including Newton in the deal, the Commanders can put together a feasible package without a second-round pick.Seth Walder

Adam Peters isn't in the business of giving up on his high-end draft picks. It's been a different story with Ron Rivera's, but Newton flashed enough promise last season to suggest a profitable career could be in the offing.

Hendrickson is on the wrong side of 30 years old, but his 35 sacks over the last two seasons make this a risk worth taking. He's not going to play without a new deal, which Peters will take into account. But the general manager has done a good job of maintaining future financial flexibility amid his drastic roster overhaul.

Again, this seems highly unlikely. The well has run dry for the Commanders. One couldn't completely dismiss the possibility if Washington is willing to include one of its talented young players, but it doesn't seem like a move Peters makes right now.

Acquiring Hendrickson could be enough to get Washington over the hump. If only it were that simple.

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