Expert proposes Bengals make blockbuster trade for star edge rusher

The Cincinnati Bengals need some help rushing the passer, as Trey Hendrickson continues to be a one-man wrecking crew.

While the Bengals will probably be content to wait on the return of former first-rounder Myles Murphy from injured reserve, the trade block is always right there.

That’s the logic from ESPN’s Dan Graziano when suggesting the Bengals should go out and trade for New York Jets star edge rusher Haason Reddick:

Why this deal makes sense for both sides: One of the spots on the roster where the Jets could add some depth is tight end, and the Bengals have Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample playing ahead of Hudson and also drafted two tight ends in the most recent draft. Cincinnati could use more edge rush help alongside Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard after posting the 10th-worst pass rush win rate in 2023 (37.9%). The pick probably evens out the value, and the Bengals have seemingly used some kind of Jedi mind trick to keep players productive when they’re unhappy in the final year of their contracts.

While sending away Tanner Hudson and a fourth-round pick in the deal isn’t too terrible, there’s one big problem — money.

Reddick, a former first-round pick, has refused to play for the Jets since coming over via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles because he wants a big contract extension. The Jets would be dumping him out of frustration that he’s a holdout who has amassed $5 million in NFL-mandated fines so far, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While he’s the owner of 11 or more sacks four straight years and counting across three different teams and would be a big help, the Bengals have plenty of money concerns already with Ja’Marr Chase without adding even more.