NFL Trade Rumors: Team Open To Moving Star At Position Patriots Could Target

The New England Patriots may have the opportunity to explore a blockbuster deal before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Fox insider Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that the Cincinnati Bengals are now open to moving Trey Hendrickson. Their stance reportedly softened after falling to 3-5 with a 39-38 loss to the previously winless New York Jets in Week 8.

“It seemed like a hard no a week or so ago, and now it’s not,” Glazer said on “Fox NFL Sunday.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Bengals are still telling teams they won’t trade Hendrickson. However, sources believe they could reconsider if they lose to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

If the Bengals entertain offers for Hendrickson, it’d make sense for the Patriots to call.

Multiple reports have identified edge rushers as a top area of interest for New England. Adding a star like Hendrickson would bolster any contender’s playoff outlook.

Hendrickson finished second in last season’s Defensive Player of the Year voting with his second consecutive 17.5-sack campaign. He tallied a career-high 54 pressures and 36 quarterback hits in his fourth straight Pro Bowl season and first All-Pro year.

The Bengals still missed the playoffs with the league’s 25th-ranked defense, and Hendrickson requested a trade amid an offseason contract dispute. They reached a short-term solution by giving him a raise for the 2025 season, his last under contract.

Hendrickson has four sacks and a forced fumble in seven games this season, but Cincinnati’s defense is still last in yards and points allowed. An early injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow has dampened the team’s postseason aspirations, so it could make sense to shop Hendrickson.

A Hendrickson trade could help the Patriots even if he’s moved elsewhere, as they play the Bengals in Week 12.