Even with the Bengals listening to trade offers for All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, a Tampa Bay move isn’t in the cards. That’s straight from Bucs reporter Greg Auman, who replied on X that “Bucs aren’t trading for Hendrickson.”
He added the holdup would be both the acquisition cost and “having to pay Hendrickson at least $35m a year,” noting Tampa Bay would rather invest in its best young players.
Multiple outlets have reported Cincinnati is open to talks amid a contract impasse, with the price expected to be steep.
NFL.com framed it as the Bengals “listening to trade offers” as negotiations stall, and other reporting has described a package that could include a young defensive starter plus a future pick reflecting Cincinnati’s intent to keep winning now.
Auman also noted the “smart ask” from Cincinnati in any Hendrickson deal would be a starter-level edge rusher coming back, because taking only picks would make a struggling defense worse in 2025.
That aligns with the Bengals’ reported stance of insisting on present-tense value, not just future draft capital.
Tampa Bay’s edge chatter will continue as fans dream big until Hassan Reddick proves that he wants to be there.
Plus, the combination of trade compensation plus a top-of-market extension is the kind of two-step cost the Bucs aren’t entertaining right now, per Auman’s replies.
Unless Cincinnati ask or Hendrickson’s number changes, don’t expect Tampa Bay to be a bidder even with the Bengals taking calls.