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The Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Indianapolis Colts are all keeping an eye on the pass-rusher market as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Each team has its own reasons for looking, but they all share the same goal, finding someone who can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks.
San Francisco has already made one move, reportedly trading for Keion White on Tuesday. Still, the 49ers could use more help after struggling badly to generate pressure this season. They rank near the bottom of the league in sacks and are missing two key pieces, Nick Bosa, who’s out with a torn ACL, and Bryce Huff, sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The Cowboys are also having trouble getting to the quarterback. They’ve managed just 15 sacks through eight games, and a third of those came in a single outing. The loss of Micah Parsons in the offseason has been a major blow, leaving a big hole in what used to be one of the NFL’s top defensive fronts.
The Colts, on the other hand, have been more productive, tallying 23 sacks so far, tied for fifth in the league. But even with solid numbers, Indianapolis lacks that one elite edge threat who forces offences to change their game plan.
One name that’s been floating around as a possible target for all three teams is Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Cincinnati has made it clear Hendrickson is not available for trade right now. Both the 49ers and Cowboys have shown interest, and Fowler believes the Colts could be a perfect fit if the Bengals change their stance.
For now, Cincinnati isn’t budging. The Bengals see Hendrickson as a key piece of their playoff hopes, especially with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco expected to keep the team competitive until Joe Burrow returns. Hendrickson has been dealing with a minor hip issue lately, but it’s not considered serious, and he’s expected to be back to full strength soon.
There’s also some long-term drama around his contract. Hendrickson was unhappy with his deal earlier this year and could hit free agency next offseason. Still, the Bengals can use the franchise tag to keep him for 2026 if needed, which could lead to another tense negotiation between the two sides.
In short, while the Cowboys, 49ers, and Colts all have clear needs on the edge, it looks like Trey Hendrickson, for now, isn’t going anywhere.