The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly open to trading Trey Hendrickson as contract discussions stall, setting the stage for the Buffalo Bills to pursue the All-Pro edge rusher. With Hendrickson leading the NFL in sacks in 2024 and making four Pro Bowls, acquiring him could significantly strengthen Buffalo’s defense and boost their Super Bowl aspirations. However, financial constraints present a major hurdle in fitting Hendrickson’s 2025 salary under the Bills’ cap.
Strategic Salary Cap Moves Proposed to Facilitate Trade
Analyst Greg Tompsett from Cover 1 outlined a detailed plan for the Bills to create cap space and land Hendrickson. His approach suggests restructuring contracts for left tackle Dion Dawkins and tight end Dawson Knox, freeing up substantial cap room. Additionally, Tompsett recommends trading edge rusher A.J. Epenesa along with Buffalo’s 2026 third-round pick in exchange for Hendrickson, who currently carries a $15.8 million cap hit.
Following the trade, the Bills could further reduce Hendrickson’s cap impact by negotiating a long-term extension, projected at three years for $105 million, easing financial pressure for the 2025 season and beyond.
“Brandon Beane’s Trey Hendrickson Action Plan:- Restructure Dion Dawkins – $9.832M- Restructure Dawson Knox – $6.247M- Trade AJ Epenesa ($6.2M) & 2026 3rd round pick($22.79M cap space created) for Trey Hendrickson and his existing $15.8M salary… then reach long-term…” — Greg Tompsett, Cover 1 analyst
Trade Package Offers Bengals Valuable Assets
The proposed trade sending Epenesa and a future third-round pick to Cincinnati represents a meaningful package for the Bengals, who face a significant gap at edge rusher with Hendrickson potentially departing. While Epenesa may not fully replace Hendrickson’s impact, he presents a more affordable and promising asset than many alternatives available to Cincinnati at this point in the offseason.
Despite the complexity of the deal and necessary salary restructures, the scenario remains plausible as the Bills seek to maximize their Super Bowl window in 2025. The move would require Buffalo to accept constrained financial flexibility in future seasons, but the opportunity to add a defensive game-changer like Hendrickson might justify the gamble.
Balancing Immediate Goals With Financial Challenges
The Bills’ front office, led by Brandon Beane, would have to weigh the long-term salary cap implications of Hendrickson’s extension against the immediate defensive enhancement he offers. With Sean McDermott’s confidence in the roster’s 2024 starters and key contributors like Dion Dawkins and Dawson Knox on the team, this kind of aggressive maneuvering signals the franchise’s commitment to winning now.
If the Bills can pull off this transaction, it would mark a significant step toward securing the franchise’s first Super Bowl title, reinforcing Buffalo’s reputation as Super Bowl contenders with a roster capable of overpowering opponents on both sides of the ball.