The Atlanta Falcons could be primed for another major defensive boost following recent developments involving Trey Hendrickson.
The standout Bengals defensive end has drawn attention with his candid remarks about stalled contract talks — and the situation could open a door for Atlanta.
Hendrickson, 30, is entering the final year of his current deal and is due $21 million, per Spotrac. While that might seem fair on paper, Hendrickson — and many in the league — believe he’s being undervalued.
By comparison, Myles Garrett tops the market for defensive ends with an average annual value of $40 million, nearly double Hendrickson’s projected earnings.
As the Falcons aim to reshape their defense, speculation is mounting: could Hendrickson be next on Atlanta’s radar?
The team’s top two draft picks were met with scrutiny but have already provided a lift to a struggling defensive front.
Securing a proven star like Hendrickson would not only silence lingering draft criticism but also solidify the Falcons’ commitment to building a championship-caliber defense.
With Hendrickson voicing dissatisfaction and the market ripe for movement, Atlanta may not be done adding firepower just yet.
There’s little debate that Trey Hendrickson has earned a major payday. With 35 sacks over the past two seasons — the most in the NFL by a considerable margin — the Bengals defensive end has proven himself as one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers. Now, he wants to be paid accordingly.
Could the Atlanta Falcons be a landing spot? Possibly, but there are hurdles. Hendrickson is reportedly seeking a multi-year, high-value extension, similar to the type of contract Atlanta handed out to a veteran last offseason.
The Falcons’ cap space is tighter this time around, largely due to the big-money deal given to quarterback Kirk Cousins. Offloading Cousins to free up room for Hendrickson would be a complex, unlikely move this late in the offseason.
Still, there’s no denying the value Hendrickson could bring to Atlanta. The Falcons have invested heavily in reshaping their defense, including adding two edge defenders in the draft.
One of them — 2024 Butkus Award winner Dallas Turner — is more than just a pass rusher, but the addition of Hendrickson would provide a fearsome presence and elevate a unit that has struggled with sack production for years.
Would the Bengals even be open to a trade? It’s unclear. Cincinnati recently extended wide receiver Jamar Chase after prolonged negotiations, so precedent exists. But Hendrickson, who is threatening to sit out, could be testing the team’s patience. Sometimes such standoffs lead to movement — other times, they fizzle out.
One thing is certain: Atlanta would benefit from adding Hendrickson to an improving defense that already features a strong secondary.
While GM Terry Fontenot and his staff may be done making major moves, fans can dream — and the image of Hendrickson in red and black at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this fall is certainly a compelling one.
