4 Edge Rushers Bears Must Target Before Regular Season
By Cem Yolbulan
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
This would obviously be the dream scenario as it would completely revamp the Bears' defense and put it in a different tier among the NFL. Cincinnati's star pass rusher had a tumultuous offseason where he requested a trade after the Bengals declined to give him the contract extension he desired.
The trade request was never granted and the Bengals restructured his deal to give him an extra $5 million in salary. It didn't alleviate any concerns about Hendrickson's future, however.
The 29-year-old has been one of the best edge rushers in the league for the last couple of years. Since joining the Bengals in the 2021 offseason, he has a whopping 39.5 sacks in 46 starts. Yet, NFL teams can be hesitant to break the bank for players approaching 30.
Considering the fact that the Bengals are trying to get back to Super Bowl contention, they will try to hold onto their best defender. Hendrickson is under contract through the 2025 season, so there is no sense of urgency there. However, if things don't go according to plan in Cincinnati to start the season, Hendrickson could be a prime trade candidate. The Bears should be ready with a massive trade offer to poach him if that happens.