Logo

Bengals Floated Trade Proposal - Trey Hendrickson for Eagles Star

247 views

Philadelphia, PA – The Bengals’ contract standoff with Trey Hendrickson has opened the door to a bold idea — and now Philadelphia is in the crosshairs. League sources confirm Cincinnati has inquired about Nolan Smith Jr. as a possible return piece if trade talks move forward.

Smith, 23, has quickly built a reputation as one of the NFL’s rising young edge defenders. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, he’s smaller than Hendrickson but brings explosive burst, bend, and relentless energy that Philadelphia has leaned on opposite Haason Reddick. His arsenal — from ghost rushes to pure speed-to-power — makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles.

Article image

The numbers tell the contrast. Hendrickson piled up 17.5 sacks in 2024, cementing himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Smith, by comparison, finished with 6 sacks, 42 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits. While the raw production lags, Smith’s ability to drop into coverage (45 snaps last season) gives him versatility Hendrickson doesn’t often provide.

With contract talks at an impasse, the Bengals are listening to trade offers for four-time Pro Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson, sources tell ESPN insiders. No deal is imminent, but the NFL’s reigning sack leader is available for the right price.

Nolan Smith Talks Spending Offseason With Aaron Rodgers at Eagles Training  Camp

Injury concerns complicate the conversation. Still, the traits draw comparisons. “Nolan isn’t Hendrickson in terms of sack numbers, but the upside is obvious,” one NFC scout told ESPN. “He wins with speed, leverage, and motor. He’s the kind of edge who could slide into Cincinnati’s system without losing much at all.”

Where Hendrickson dominates with violent first steps and raw edge pressure, Smith offers bend, athleticism, and the ability to play in space. He may not be the All-Pro closer Hendrickson has become, but his profile as a developing, versatile linebacker makes him a valuable chess piece.

The Eagles, however, would be reluctant sellers. Smith is still on his rookie contract and viewed internally as a cornerstone complement to Reddick. Trading him for Hendrickson — who is seeking a new deal — would create cap headaches and undercut Philadelphia’s long-term defensive core.

That’s why this rumor feels more like leverage than an imminent trade. By floating Smith’s name, Cincinnati signals they’re not just after placeholders; they want young, ascending talent to balance Hendrickson’s possible exit.

Whether Philadelphia even entertains the idea is doubtful. Moving a 23-year-old edge rusher on a rookie deal for a veteran with an expiring contract could be too steep a gamble. But the fact that Smith’s name has surfaced at all underscores how seismic this negotiation could become between two heated conference contenders.

Eagles Star Jordan Mailata Speaks Out on Team’s Struggles, Reveals Harsh Truth Inside the Locker Room
The frustration inside the Philadelphia Eagles locker room has reached a boiling point after two consecutive losses — and Jordan Mailata didn’t hold back when asked what’s really going wrong. The veteran offensive tackle admitted that execution and focus remain the biggest problems for an Eagles offense that ranks 25th in rushing and 29th in passing this season.“Our focus hasn’t been there, quite frankly, to be really blunt,” Mailata told reporters on Wednesday. “You turn on the film, and it’s just like… okay, we weren’t focused here.” Philadelphia’s most recent defeat, a 34–17 loss to the New York Giants, exposed deep issues across the offense. Mailata said the team needs to “clean up” their mistakes before facing the Minnesota Vikings next week. His message to teammates was crystal clear:“Do your f---ing job. I gotta do my job. They gotta do their job. Everyone’s got to do their job. Don’t look at anything else. Just dominate your box and everything will take care of itself. If everyone can do that, that’s the message.” Mailata’s honesty has sparked a larger conversation about accountability inside the Eagles locker room. Tyler Steen, the team’s young right guard, agreed with the assessment, admitting that focus and execution have slipped in key moments.“When you’re in the classroom, it seems simple,” Steen said. “But when you’re doing it live, things come up you don’t expect. We need to get back to communicating, refocusing, and trusting our training.” Fatigue and injuries may also be contributing factors. The Eagles’ offensive line played 20 games last season on the road to the Super Bowl, and this year, key starters like Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens have battled lingering injuries.“I mean, maybe,” Steen added. “It was a long season last year, and guys have been fighting injuries all the way to the end. That could have something to do with it.” The struggles have also put a spotlight on new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who’s been criticized for predictable play-calling and lack of mid-game adjustments. Still, veterans like A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert refuse to place all the blame on coaching. “Our job is to come out and execute,” Brown said. “I can’t worry about what people say. My job is to go out there, run my route, and go back to the huddle. If everyone has that mindset, we’ll be fine.” Goedert echoed that confidence, standing by Patullo despite the criticism.“I’ve got full faith in him, full faith in this offense,” Goedert said. “We’re going to be even more productive. It’s a tough league, but Kevin does a great job communicating what he wants to see. Sometimes we just don’t execute early, and that puts us behind.” As the Eagles prepare for a crucial matchup against the Vikings, the message from the locker room is clear — focus, execution, and unity must return if Philadelphia wants to save its season.