Context:

The Washington Commanders, following an unexpected success in the NFC Championship game, are looking to bolster their roster for a Super Bowl run by targeting Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, is currently in a contract standoff with the Bengals, increasing the likelihood of a trade. Despite having only one Day 2 draft pick next year, Washington might need to offer a first-round pick to acquire him, given his potential impact. The Commanders have significant future cap space, making it feasible to extend Hendrickson's contract to around $35 million annually. This strategic move is seen as crucial while Jayden Daniels, their standout rookie quarterback, is still on his rookie contract, enhancing their Super Bowl prospects.

Dive Deeper:

• Washington Commanders aim to improve their Super Bowl chances after an unexpected 2024 NFC Championship appearance, focusing on replacing departed sacks leader Dante Fowler Jr. with a top-tier edge rusher.

• Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, a leading NFL edge rusher with 17.5 sacks in 2024, is identified as a key target, potentially serving as a significant upgrade over Fowler.

• Hendrickson's contract negotiations with the Bengals are stalled, with him possibly holding out over dissatisfaction with his $16 million salary, making a trade more likely.

• Trade compensation discussions suggest that while a second-round pick might suffice, the Commanders may need to offer a first-rounder due to their limited draft capital and Hendrickson's value.

• Washington's future salary cap space, projected at $86.2 million in 2026 and $210.8 million in 2027, provides ample room to negotiate a lucrative extension for Hendrickson.

• The strategic timing of this potential trade is crucial, as the Commanders seek to capitalize on quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract to maximize their competitive window.

• Mike Moraitis, a sports journalist with extensive experience, covers the dynamics of this potential trade, emphasizing its potential to elevate Washington's Super Bowl ambitions.

• The Washington Commanders were the most surprising team in the league in 2024 after making an improbable run to the NFC Championship Game following an incredible rookie season from quarterback Jayden Daniels.

• General manager Adam Peters has been hard at work trying to improve the roster in order to gear up for a run at the Super Bowl in 2025, but the team still has a glaring hole along the edge, where Washington lost 2024 sacks leader Dante Fowler Jr. to Dallas in free agency.

• While finding an adequate replacement at this late stage in free agency will be tough, the Commanders may actually be able to land an upgrade via trade.

• That upgrade could come in the form of Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who was recently mentioned as a possible trade target for the Commanders by Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios.

• "After losing sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, the presence of Hendrickson would be an enormous upgrade," Palacios wrote.

• Hendrickson is one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL after tallying a league-high 17.5 sacks in 2024, and 35 sacks in total since 2023. Not only would he be a great replacement for Fowler, he'd be an upgrade, also, and would instantly boost Washington's chances of getting to the Big Game.

• Hendrickson and the Bengals have been working on a contract extension, but the two sides remain in a standoff over the dollar amount. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler notes that Hendrickson may hold out, which only increases the likelihood that he's traded.

• "There's no update with defensive end Trey Hendrickson's contract situation, which is at a stalemate. My read on the situation is that Hendrickson is convicted enough to stay away from the team, having no interest in playing on his scheduled $16 million salary in 2025. Right now this is a waiting game," Fowler wrote.

• When it comes to trade compensation, the Bengals are probably going to get at least a Day 2 pick, which we'd suspect will be a second-rounder. We don't think a first-rounder will be on the table considering Hendrickson's contract situation.

• That's a potential problem for Washington, a team that only has one Day 2 pick in next year's draft, which comes in the third round. That means the Commanders almost certainly have to up the ante if they really want Hendrickson, and that possibly could mean giving up a first-rounder.

• Extending Hendrickson should be easier, though. Washington is currently projected to have $86.2 million in cap space in 2026, and $210.8 million in 2027. That leaves ample room for a contract that will pay the four-time Pro Bowler around $35 million or more annually.

• There is a lot to sort through when it comes to a Hendrickson trade, and there's no doubt it's going to be expensive. However, now is the time to make these kinds of bold moves with Daniels on his rookie contract and the Commanders knocking at the door of a Super Bowl.

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