ESPN uses one of the Commanders' top 2024 draft picks as trade bait in latest bid for Trey Hendrickson

The Washington Commanders are trying to maximize the newly-opened Super Bowl window with Jayden Daniels running the show. Therefore, the team is going to be mentioned in just about every remaining big-time trade rumor between now and the start of the regular season.

That's the exact case with Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, whose name continues to permeate throughout the news cycle thanks to his ongoing drama with ownership.

ESPN recently put together multiple trade offers Hendrickson, Kirk Cousins, and Jalen Ramsey. Analyst Seth Walder conjured up a bid from the Commanders' side of things and it includes 2024 second-rounder Jer'Zahn "Johnny" Newton, a 2026 third-rounder, and a 2027 seventh-rounder.

Bengals get: DT Jer'Zhan Newton, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick
Commanders get: Hendrickson

Why this deal makes sense for both sides: Washington is in win-now mode, but Dorance Armstrong is its best edge rusher. Adding Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best pass rush win rate at edge last season (24%), would be a huge boost.

Losing 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. (who can move inside if needed). By including Newton in the deal, the Commanders can put together a feasible package without a second-round pick -- they lost their 2026 second-round selection as part of the trade for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Newton would be appealing to the Bengals as immediate help. - Seth Walder, ESPN

Trading Newton would be the ultimate display that the Super Bowl is all the Commanders are thinking about

It's completely understandable for Adam Peters and Co. to consider any and every reasonable move that would help the Commanders get closer to a Lombardi Trophy. In this case, trading Newton would be the ultimate tell that it's the official mindset.

Even with Javon Kinlaw in the mix, Newton figures to be a part of the Commanders' plans moving forward. He's a penetrating defensive tackle that can also play the run if he develops as expected. Daron Payne also has just two years left on his deal (including 2025) and he doesn't have a ton of guaranteed money left. He'll also be on the verge of turning 30 when his contract is up, so there's no guarantee he's around after 2026.

There's also the fact that in this hypothetical, the Commanders are letting go of their third-rounder, which would leave them with just their first-round pick and then picks in Rounds 5-7 in 2026. They're already without picks in Rounds 2 and 4 thanks to the Laremy Tunsil trade.

Don't get it twisted: A player like Hendrickson is exactly what the Commanders need to become a true Super Bowl contender. They simply don't have a dominate pass rusher and that's been discussed thoroughly over the last several weeks. And hey, I'm not running the team, but the above deal makes sense.

Objectively speaking, it would officially signal this team is going all-out to bring Washington its first championship in nearly 35 years.