The Cincinnati Bengals are staring down a critical offseason on the defensive side of the ball-and right now, there’s not a whole lot of stability to build around. The team has made sweeping changes to its linebacker group, moving on from Akeem Davis-Gaither, cutting ties with Germaine Pratt, and trading away Logan Wilson. Add in the departure of key defensive linemen like Sheldon Rankins, and it’s clear the Bengals are in the middle of a major defensive reset.
At the heart of this shakeup seems to be the looming departure of Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals couldn’t come to terms with their Pro Bowl edge rusher on a long-term extension, and now it looks more likely than not that Hendrickson will be playing elsewhere in 2026. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a defense that already struggled to generate consistent pressure.
The front office did try to brace for this scenario. They re-signed Cameron Sample and Joseph Ossai to one-year deals and used a draft pick on Shemar Stewart.
But so far, that plan hasn’t exactly clicked. Stewart’s development has been rocky, and with both Sample and Ossai only under contract for one more season, the Bengals are left with a glaring hole at one of the most important positions on the field.
So where do they turn? According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, Cincinnati could look to the trade market or free agency to find some much-needed help off the edge. Graziano floated two intriguing names: Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants and Byron Young of the Los Angeles Rams.
Let’s start with Thibodeaux. He made a major splash in 2023 with 11.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, showing the kind of explosive potential that made him a top-five draft pick.
But injuries and inconsistency have slowed his momentum since then. Still, the upside is undeniable.
If the Giants are willing to listen-and that’s a big if-the Bengals could try to buy low on a player who still has star potential.
Then there’s Byron Young, who’s quickly becoming one of the league’s most productive young pass rushers. After back-to-back solid seasons to start his career, he’s taken a leap this year, already racking up 11 sacks with games still to play.
He’s just 27 and still on his rookie deal, which makes him an incredibly valuable asset. That also means he won’t come cheap.
The Rams would have to be convinced to move a player who looks like a core piece of their future.
But if Cincinnati sees an opening, they’d be wise to pounce. The chance to land a young, ascending edge rusher like Young doesn’t come around often-especially one who wouldn’t immediately break the bank. It would give the Bengals a chance to reload quickly without having to overpay in free agency or hope that a draft pick pans out right away.
There are other names to watch too. Veterans like Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Kyle Van Noy, and Kwity Paye could hit the market, offering more short-term solutions at potentially lower costs. Younger players like K’Lavon Chaisson and Malcolm Koonce are also intriguing, especially for a team looking to build a deeper rotation.
But if the Bengals want to make a real splash-and replace Hendrickson with a player who can be a difference-maker for years to come-Thibodeaux and Young are the types of targets worth exploring. Graziano even suggested a player-for-player trade could be in play, a creative option that could help Cincinnati avoid giving up valuable draft capital.
Of course, any deal would require the right price, and the Bengals will need to be careful not to compromise the core of their roster. As long as names like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown stay off the trade table, exploring a bold move for a premium edge rusher could be exactly what this defense needs to turn the corner.
The Bengals have work to do. But with the right move, they could turn a looming loss into a long-term gain.