The Chicago Bears made strides in 2025, but if they want to take that next step-especially with their Super Bowl window cracking open-they’ll need to bring more heat off the edge.
Let’s be real: 35 sacks in a full season isn’t going to cut it. That total tied for the seventh-fewest in the league, and while rookie Austin Booker showed promise with 4.5 sacks, the Bears need more than upside.
They need production. They need a proven disruptor to pair with Montez Sweat and turn this pass rush into something that keeps offensive coordinators up at night.
Enter Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals edge rusher is projected to land a two-year, $50.8 million deal in free agency, and if he becomes available, he’s exactly the kind of impact player Chicago should be targeting. Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati appears to be nearing its end after a drawn-out contract dispute, and if he hits the market, the Bears make a lot of sense as a landing spot.
Yes, cap space is a factor. The Bears aren’t sitting on a mountain of money.
But they’ve got a young core, and that’s key-when your stars are still on rookie deals, you’ve got a window to make big moves without blowing up your financial future. Hendrickson would be one of those moves.
Let’s not forget what this guy brings to the table. Before injuries limited him to just seven games last season, Hendrickson was on an absolute tear.
Over the two years prior, he led the league with 35 sacks. That’s not just good-that’s elite production.
He’s a four-time Pro Bowler for a reason, and when healthy, he’s one of the most relentless edge rushers in the game.
Now imagine him lining up opposite Montez Sweat. That’s a duo that could wreak havoc on any offensive line.
It’s not just about sacks-it’s about pressure, disruption, forcing quarterbacks into mistakes, and making life easier for the secondary. Hendrickson would instantly elevate the entire defense.
Of course, there’s a wrinkle. Hendrickson might not make it to free agency.
The Bengals have options-they could franchise tag him and explore a trade rather than let him walk for a compensatory pick. That’s a move we’ve seen before, and Cincinnati could be eyeing a better return.
But even if it takes a trade, the Bears should be in the mix. This isn’t the time to play it safe.
If Chicago truly believes it’s ready to contend, then it needs to act like it. Hendrickson isn’t just a luxury addition-he’s the kind of player who can tilt games, especially in January.
Bottom line: if Trey Hendrickson is available, the Bears should be all in.