Bengals Urged To Trade For AFC Rival Offensive Lineman

The biggest moves of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason have already been made. Receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are locked in for the long haul, hoping to hoist a Lombardi Trophy in Cincinnati. Yet, the Bengals’ work isn’t done.

With edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in extension limbo and the rest of the defense badly in need of reinforcements, more moves must be in the works. Even the offense is unfinished, with the interior offensive line still unsteady.

Between Cordell Volson, Cody Ford, and Lucas Patrick, Cincinnati has no quality starter at guard, sending fans and analysts searching for answers. Subsequently, the Bengals are considered a trade partner for 2022 first-round offensive lineman Zion Johnson. “The Cincinnati Bengals secured the future of their offense with massive extensions for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and tight end Mike Gesicki,” Pro Football Focus writes.

“Now, it’s time to ensure Joe Burrow can get them the ball. The Bengals have one of the league’s worst collections of guards, and it’s the biggest flaw remaining on the offense.

Zion Johnson won’t become an All-Pro if the Chargers trade him to Cincinnati, but he won’t need to be. As long as he can just be average, Burrow should have enough time to connect with his elite offensive weapons.” Johnson can’t promise to be the star some are clamoring for. Even living up to his draft capital at this point seems like a stretch.

But he figures to be a low-cost, decent-reward option should he be shopped, and he comes with multi-position (and potentially center) versatility. In essence, he’s not a sure-fire quality starter. He is, however, a lottery ticket who would make Cincinnati deeper and more talented.

If the Bengals are going to bet, doing so on pedigree and athleticism is hardly a bad place to start. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s one of the Chargers’ best tradable assets. Related: Would Bengals Trade Hendrickson for Second-Round Pick? “The Chargers won’t be ready to part with Quentin Johnston just yet, although the former first-rounder might be on thin ice going into Year 3,” Bradley Locker wrote. “That leaves Johnson as a different marquee player who might be close to an exit. ”

Los Angeles signed guard Mekhi Becton and center Andre James in free agency, while Bradley Bozeman and Trey Pipkins are each back in the fold. Johnson’s 62.5 PFF overall grade leads Chargers guards since 2023, but his fifth-year option will probably get declined – and a trade may ensue.” Projecting player trades is often ambitious, as the likelihood that any given player is traded is generally low. Los Angeles could start Johnson at center in the wake of its recent signings, taking him off the trade block entirely.

If he is on the move, though, Cincinnati should be among the first teams calling, hoping to give Johnson another elite quarterback to protect in 2025.

Dolphins Trade Proposal Lands 77 Sack All-Pro

The Cincinnati Bengals’ main off-season priority was trying to find a way to get their wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins re-signed to new deals. The Bengals not only re-signed them but made them among the richest-paid players in NFL history. The Bengals now believe they can stabilize their roster and keep the defensive side of the ball efficient and their stars happy.

Just a few days ago, a reporter came out that Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson wouldn’t play the upcoming 2025 season without a new deal made. Hendrickson is in the final year of a deal with Cincinnati, where he is set to earn $21 million.

The Bengals are in a tough position as they believe he won’t be traded, but they might not be able to pay for his worth. The Miami Dolphins are financially capable of paying and re-signing him to a longer deal. Miami has several open spots at the defensive end position where Hendrickson can be an instant starter. Having a pass rush that includes Hendrickson and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb would create one of the top pass-rushing duos in the league. He has been among the most active pass rushers within the last four seasons where he was named a pro-bowler.

Last season, Hendrickson accounted for 46 total tackles, 33 solo tackles, 36 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks. The Dolphins could create a package for the Bengals that might include a third-round pick and one of their two fourth-round picks for next month’s 2025 NFL Draft.’ The Dolphins have the opportunity to make an unhappy Hendrickson happy, but they will have to convince a stubborn Bengals front office to trade him.

Trey Hendrickson Update Means Bad News For Commanders

The Washington Commanders have an obvious need for at edge rusher this offseason. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals wants a new deal that pays him as one of the top defensive players in the league. On paper, the match seems to be one made in heaven. But as Hendrickson’s contract stand-off with the Bengals continues into the later portions of March and potentially into April, any hope of a trade or extension appears less and less likely. The latest update from Hendrickson’s camp certainly doesn’t help matters, either. And it’s not just bad news for the Bengals. “I think it’s entirely possible, based on what I’m hearing, for him to sit out the year if he doesn’t get a new deal,” ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said.

“I think that’s his mindset right now.” If Hendrickson is willing to sit out games with the Bengals, that isn’t great news for the Commanders. Washington is a team that is trying to address their edge rusher need as quickly as possible. To acquire a player with 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons is something that turns Washington’s defense from good to elite in a single night. But that all changes if Hendrickson sits out games.

A similar thing happened last offseason to one of the league’s best edge defenders. Haason Reddick wanted a new deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and was traded to the New York Jets to get one done. Related: Washington’s ‘Over The Hill Gang’ Making Comeback in 2025 A deal was never agreed to, though, and Reddick recorded just a single sack after choosing to sit out for half the season. Now, the formerly perceived elite defender was only able to scrounge a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.