Last month, Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter said he would like to see the Raiders make a move for All Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Despite needs on the roster at cornerback and wide receiver, it was the one big move Carpenter said he’d like to see the Raiders make in July.
“I would love to see them go get Trey Hendrickson. Go get Trey Hendrickson,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast.
“I have a trade in mind. I’m not going to voice that trade, but I have a trade in mind,” Carpenter continued. “An elite defensive lineman at your strongest point. That’s what you do. You just always get better. You never have enough elite defensive lineman. You just don’t have enough. And I would make that Trey Hendrickson trade today.”
At the time, the Bengals were saying Hendrickson wasn’t available, but many believe they would have taken a trade package involving a first-round pick.
Now it sounds like the Bengals are getting a little more desperate and it’s starting to feel like Hendrickson’s contract dispute might play out similarly to the way Khalil Mack’s did in 2018.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bengals have scaled back their asking price, and it sounds like they are willing to take a lesser pick and a player in exchange for Hendrickson, who will turn 31 in December.
“What would it take to get a Trey Hendrickson trade done?” Pelissero asked on Monday.
“Back before the draft, the Bengals had an offer that was on the table that was a second-round pick and change. At that time, they weren’t willing to engage with that. They wanted a first rounder. My understanding is that the price has softened or at least changed a little bit. At this point the Bengals would want a player, somebody that could maybe replace some of the production they got from Trey Hendrickson, as well as a pick in the 2026 draft.”
There are teams that probably need a player like Hendrickson more than the Raiders, but in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, the idea of an adding another All-Pro defensive end has to be a little enticing for Raiders GM John Spytek.
The Raiders are one of a handful of teams that could easily fit Hendrickson’s next contract under the 2026 salary cap, but the issue for all 32 teams is presumably his age.
How much is a 31-year-old pass rusher worth, and for the Raiders, is a young player like Malcolm Koonce a better long-term investment than Hendrickson?
If Koonce isn’t a player the Raiders are prepared to pay after the 2025 season (and there isn’t any reason to believe that at this point), it might make sense to get something in return for Koonce now instead of letting his contract situation play out into the offseason.
x: @raidersbeat
Keep Koonce he will have a rebound year from his injury. He had 8 sacks after they canned McClueless. Get another corner that is a priority. Don’t go after another veteran receiver who wants a payday. We have learned from Moss,Brown, and other bad mistakes. I may consider swapping Aiden O’Connell for Hendon hooker. Even trade.
Eagles gave the blue print on how to beat KC. Rush the QB. Make it happen.
Hondo. “I have a trade in mind.” So do I. Hondo for Jimmy The Greek.
We aren’t going anywhere this year and next year another year older and will still have to pay him north of 20 million a year, plus give up a decent player and a 1st or 2nd rnd pick, hard pass. Build through the draft.
To me, the upside of getting Hendrickson is you don’t waste Max Crosby’s best years by getting a proven pass rusher, admittedly at a semi-steep price. The downside would be his asking price and age. While it’s true that draft picks are younger and cheaper, for the most part, they are never guaranteed to pan out. For sure Hendrickson would be a considerable upgrade to the defensive line and considering the passing quarterbacks in the AFC West, the Raiders NEED all of the help that they can get.
Surely, a potent pass rusher would help the Raiders suspect linebackers and corners out. Additionally, this move would go a long way to off setting the loss of Christian Wilkinson. Arguably, more suspect moves have been made by this team, in particular. So, while there is an argument that can be made for and against acquiring Hendrickson, if it were my decision, I would make the move. More defensive help for Max Crosby, and the Raiders, could never be a bad thing especially given the talent in their division.
We have defensive end talent up the wazoo. What we need is secondary talent! So no, we don’t need ‘im. And don’t trade Thornton. He has something other WRs don’t. Yes, he’s raw. He’s a rookie. Give him a few games, for heaven’s sake, before starting trade talks!
I’m all about spending wisely, but if you get the chance for a big time playmaker you got to take it!