The Dallas Cowboys got one up on former-coordinator-turned-rival Dan Quinn when they stole Washington Commanders free agent Dante Fowler Jr. to fortify their pass rush. While a big move for Dallas, it does not hide from the fact that Washington has had an excellent offseason.
Unfortunately, Quinn and Co. are suddenly positioned to put an exclamation point on their rapid ascension up the NFC ranks.
Seeking a new contract extension, Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson showed up to practice on Tuesday without a uniform to address the media. Hendrickson revealed that negotiations have stopped and left no doubt that he will not play without a new deal.
That blasts the door wide open for a potential trade and you better believe the pass rush-needy Commanders are licking their chops.
Dan Quinn trading for Trey Hendrickson would be demoralizing for the Cowboys
“We’ve tried to keep it as least amount as personal as possible, but at some point in this process it’s becomes personal,” Hendrickson said, via ESPN. “Being sent 30 days before mandatory camp, or how many ever days it is, that if I don’t show up I will be fined alludes to the fact that something won’t get done in that time frame.”
Trey Hendrickson since joining the Bengals in 2021:
đź’Ą 57.0 sacks (3rd)
đź’Ą 299 pressures (5th)
đź’Ą 17.4% pressure rate (2nd)
đź’Ą 92.2 pass rush grade (5th) pic.twitter.com/sOlchTW3b9
— PFF (@PFF) May 13, 2025
This relationship might be bordering on the point of no return after the Bengals shockingly extended star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Many thought Cincinnati would pay Chase and allow Higgins to walk in order to pay Hendrickson.
The NFL’s reigning sack champ, Hendrickson is one of the most valuable defensive players in football.
He accounted for a whopping 49% of the Bengals’ sacks last season, which was the highest rate of any player. Only T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett have more sacks than Hendrickson over the last five seasons and he tied Garrett last season for the most pressures with 83.
Even if the Commanders were able to re-sign Fowler, they’d likely be looking for pass rush reinforcements anyway. That is how thin their defensive end room is.
After opting against addressing the EDGE position in the NFL Draft, their depth chart is now headlined by Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Clelin Ferrel. Linebacker Frankie Luvu is probably the best pure pass rusher on the roster. Luvu is a really good player, but that is not a recipe for success.
With quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal, the Commanders have ample cap space to pay Hendrickson the contract he wants – and deserves. If things with the Bengals reach a point of no return, Washington will be the top landing spot for the four-time Pro Bowler.
To say that would be devastating for Dallas would be an understatement.
