Is Trey Hendrickson In Play For The Bears? Insider Has An Update

Two positions feel like unknowns for the Chicago Bears going into training camp this summer. One is running back, where they failed to add a big name of any kind. Kyle Monangai, a 7th round pick, was their only notable acquisition. The other is an edge rusher. While the team signed Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, most don't see him as a high-end sack artist. That is where Trey Hendrickson comes in. Everybody has heard the news by now. The defensive end is locked in a bitter contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals, and it's getting uglier by the day.

He has already made it clear he has no plans to attend practices until the situation is resolved. That could include sitting out actual games. Considering how bad the Bengals' defense was with him on the field, that would be a disaster in the making. Many believe the situation is barrelling towards a trade at this point. It is only a matter of time. Chicago is a prominent landing spot that people keep bringing up. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune addressed the possibility of it happening.

If the Bengals explore the possibility and are seeking a first-round pick in exchange, I’d be stunned if the Bears had any interest. That would be a steep asking price because any team that acquired Hendrickson would have to give him an expensive extension as he’s entering the final year of his contract at $16 million...

...If the Bengals’ asking price in a potential trade is a second-round pick and maybe another, later-round selection, I still would be surprised if the Bears made a move. Hendrickson turns 31 in December. He’s angling for a third contract, which he certainly has earned, but the list of players who get expensive third contracts and then deliver value isn’t a long one.

The Bears aren't a Trey Hendrickson away from a championship.

That is a cold, hard fact. If the team were coming off a deep playoff run and felt like they were one or two players away from a championship? They should absolutely take the swing. However, that isn't the case. The Bears went 5-12 last season and haven't made the playoffs since 2018. They haven't won a playoff game since 2010. As desperate as GM Ryan Poles might be to win this year, he understands he is responsible for protecting the team's resources from unnecessary expense. Not only would it cost a high draft choice to acquire Trey Hendrickson, but a hefty contract extension as well. Poles would have to restructure multiple deals on the payroll to make it happen. The Bears have avoided such moves since he took over. Maybe their thinking changes by the trade deadline in October, but as of now, Biggs is correct.