As we transfer previous the 4th of July festivities, could I remind you that we have now NFL soccer this month? That’s proper, on Thursday, July thirty first, the Corridor of Fame Sport will happen between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers. With soccer on the horizon, there may be nonetheless a ton of uncertainty all through the league. There are quarterback competitions all over the place, drama with unsigned first spherical picks, and a few huge names probably nonetheless on the commerce market.
Arguably the largest (and most vocal) identify is Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The extremely profitable, but disgruntled sack artist, is in his second offseason of getting an unsightly contract standoff that has included commerce requests. If Cincinnati does lastly comply with commerce him relatively than pay him, may he be a slot in Seattle and does he match the timeline?
Why wouldn’t John Schneider and Mike Macdonald have an interest? The 6-4, 270 lbs edge rusher has quietly been top-of-the-line defensive ends within the NFL for the previous 5 seasons. Throughout that point, Trey has averaged over 14 sacks a recreation, whereas hauling in 17.5 sacks in each 2023 and 2024.
In his first two seasons, he helped information the Bengals to the Tremendous Bowl and to the brink of one other, dropping on the buzzer to Kansas Metropolis within the 2022 AFC championship recreation. Whereas accidents have derailed the previous two seasons for the Bengals group, Hendrickson’s recreation has elevated to a complete completely different degree, and 2024 could find yourself being the most effective yr of his profession. Trey completed on the runner up for Defensive Participant of the 12 months, amassing these 17.5 sacks together with 36 quarterback hits, two compelled fumbles, and 6 passes deflected.
If he’s actually attainable, Seattle could possibly be buying the quietest (contract dispute excluded) blue chip go rusher within the recreation. John Schneider has a historical past of swinging huge on offers, whether or not the fan base appears like Seattle is near championship rivalry or not. From Percy Harvin to Jimmy Graham and Duane Brown to Jamal Adams, Schneider shouldn’t be afraid to make a transfer.
For Mike Macdonald, this might probably be the queen-level chess piece wanted to see this protection turn out to be one of many 5 greatest items within the league, and which may be underselling it. Whereas Hendrickson shouldn’t be the most effective run defender, a wholesome Uchenna Nwosu and DeMarcus Lawrence can deal with the run protection, whereas the quartet of Trey, Leonard Williams, Boye Mafe, and Derick Corridor current top-of-the-line go dashing teams within the recreation.
That’s top-of-the-line defensive traces in soccer, paired with top-of-the-line secondaries within the recreation. The ceiling of this group utterly modifications. What if this offense has a very Tremendous Bowl protection to guard it? The defensive vitality may convey Lumen area again to life, and with a weakened NFC West, a division title and probably a number of residence playoff video games are realistically on the desk. We’ve seen elite items carry groups deep into the postseason earlier than, and I don’t suppose anybody within the NFC could be excited to see Macdonald’s protection.
Why Seattle could also be hesitant
I believe the largest issue is extra so on the Bengals aspect. They’re a notoriously low-cost franchise that operates in their very own realm of actuality. If not for hitting the lottery with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, they’d in all probability nonetheless be the “Bungles” or caught within the Marvin Lewis purgatory.
They might relatively let Hendrickson rot at residence, relatively than commerce him, or they could be asking for a primary spherical decide for his providers. I could worth him as that kind of participant, however being within the final yr of his contract, that’s not well worth the danger of him probably leaving. Does Cincinnati care, that continues to be to be seen.
There’s additionally the very actual query of whether or not Trey suits the timeline of this Seahawks group. His addition in all probability helps push this group excessive and comfortably right into a playoff place, however is that this roster with him capable of compete with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles? Does an extension make sense for sides, and the way will a 31-year-old go rusher age right here in Seattle? There are fairly just a few second contract extensions which can be coming down the pipe for the Seahawks, and so they could not wish to give over $20 million a yr to a participant that will be 34 by the top of his contract.
Verdict
Do you know that it has been 5 seasons for the reason that Seahawks have received the NFC West, or that will probably be a decade for the reason that Seahawks hosted a house playoff recreation in entrance of followers this season? It’s time to vary that. This franchise goes by a transition, has good items and folks in place, and must make a splash to get that have, even when 2026 and 2027 really feel like extra correct years to make a title run.
If I’m Seattle, I’m providing a third spherical decide and a fifth spherical decide, and hanging the deal, if Hendrickson is prepared to barter. I’d even be prepared to surrender a 2nd spherical decide straight as much as Cincinnati, however I’d 100% need an extension settlement.
I’ve seen mock trades the place Seattle could be sending Mafe to Cincinnati, and I would like no a part of that. I would like this go dashing overload. I wish to maintain Hendrickson and Mafe collectively, and assist to maintain them contemporary. If there’s a cap casualty to have a look at, I’d suppose Nwosu could be the identify to have a look at.
Finish of the day, I believe the addition of Trey Hendrickson completes this group’s defensive identification, and provides a real blue chip expertise to this roster that ought to view successful the NFC West because the purpose for 2025.
Verdict: Purchase
Ballot
Ought to the Seahawks commerce for Trey Hendrickson?
