The Washington Commanders urgently need more productive edge rushers. General manager Adam Peters also has a lot of cash to spend, so fans are expecting no stone to be left unturned in pursuit of finding the desired reinforcements.
However, the Commanders would be wise to think twice about going after a touted free-agent possibility who'd make a substantial dent in the team's salary cap.
Trey Hendrickson is projected to be the best defensive player to hit the market. His relationship with the Cincinnati Bengals soured even further last summer during a contract standoff. The All-Pro got more money, but he didn't get any added years on his deal. Getting re-signed couldn't be ruled out. At the same time, this may be a good opportunity to embrace a fresh challenge.
Commanders should think twice about bold free agency bid for Trey Hendrickson
Aaron Schatz of ESPN added his name to the list of analysts who believe the Commanders represent an outstanding landing spot for Hendrickson, outlining the possibility of a quick bounce-back in Washington with splashes like this.
"You might not think of them as legitimate playoff contenders, but they are only one season removed from appearing in the NFC Championship Game. I think coach Dan Quinn will need to try his hardest to convince [Trey] Hendrickson to come in and help improve the struggling Washington pass rush."Aaron Schatz
Hendrickson led the league in sacks for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024. He's got a relentless motor and proven production that would benefit almost every organization. The Commanders could inquire about what it might take to bring him into the fold, but there are also concerns that cannot be overlooked.
The former Florida Atlantic standout spent most of last season on the shelf due to injury. Whether Hendriickson would have returned if the Bengals were in a more prosperous position is anyone's guess, but it warrants closer investigation. He will also be 32 during the 2026 campaign, and fans want the Commanders to get younger across the board.
Washington has an urgency to maximize quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract before it gets much more expensive to keep him around. Making a massive statement by landing Hendrickson would be a good way to go about it, but his projected market value of $25.44 million per season on a two-year deal might be too rich for Peters when push comes to shove.
Hendrickson will be in high demand, too. That's only going to drive up the price. The Commanders have more available salary-cap space than most, but Peters also has a plethora of roster holes to fill.
The risks are glaring, and they may even outweigh the reward.