This offseason could feature several of the league’s most dominant pass rushers finding new homes, which has to pique the interest of Terry Fontenot, whose top priority this offseason is finding guys that can get after the quarterback for the Falcons. It’s hamstrung the organization for the better part of two decades and has only gotten worse under Fontenot’s watch. The Falcons finished 31st in the league in sacks last season. A number that must improve significantly, or Fontenot might not see another year in Atlanta.
First, it was 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett grabbing headlines. The 29-year-old, who has already amassed over 100 sacks in his eight-year career, officially requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason. To this point, the Browns have held steady that they will not move Garrett, who still has two years left on his deal. But given their standing with the salary cap because of Deshaun Watson‘s contract and realistic competitive window, they might not have much of a choice but to oblige and sell Garrett to the highest bidder.
Following Garrett into the forefront of the conversation today is Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. A year older than Garrett, Hendrickson is coming off a season in which he led all of football in sacks with 17.5, the second consecutive season he’s recorded 17.5 sacks. Over the last five seasons, he’s racked up 70.5 sacks, making the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons.
Hendrickson was the one bright spot on what was a historically bad Bengals defense this past season. In theory, Cincinnati should be doing everything in their power to extend him, given their competitive window is wide open with Joe Burrow leading the offensive side of the ball. However, the Bengals are a bad organization. One that does nonsensical things, and unlike the Browns, they are actually giving Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade this offseason.
It’s a marriage that’s coming to an end, and top NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting the Falcons are among teams that are interested.
“Sources: The #Falcons, like the #Commanders, have also been monitoring the Trey Hendrickson situation. With his trade request now official, more teams are getting involved in the #Bengals’ All-Pro pass DE,” Schultz posted on Twitter/X.Â
If you’re looking for a couple of other reasons why the Falcons might actually be able to land Hendrickson, he does have a couple of ties with the organization. Terry Fontenot was in New Orleans, where he was drafted in the third round back in 2017. Hendrickson also played with Jessie Bates III in Cincinnati, who has thrived in Atlanta since signing with the Falcons two offseasons ago.
Those are relationships the Falcons can hopefully lean on, but at the end of the day, it’s going to come down to who is willing to meet the Bengals’ demands. Who is desperate enough to give up a first round pick — possibly more — and then hand Hendrickson $35 million per year over the next four seasons? I would argue there isn’t a more desperate team in the NFL when it comes to rushing the passer than the Atlanta Falcons, and there might not be a more desperate general manager than Terry Fontenot, who likely won’t keep his job past this season if the Falcons miss the playoffs.
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Photo: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire
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