The New England Patriots are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one area that clearly needs attention is their pass rush. With just 35 sacks last season - near the bottom of the league - the Patriots lacked the kind of consistent quarterback pressure that defines elite defenses. And with edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson set to hit free agency, the need becomes even more pressing.
Enter Trey Hendrickson.
The veteran pass rusher could be a name to watch in Foxborough this spring. After a rocky contract standoff with the Bengals last offseason, Hendrickson eventually returned on a one-year, $29 million deal. But injuries limited him to just seven games in 2025, and he finished the year with four sacks - a far cry from his usual production.
Still, don’t let last season’s numbers fool you. Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler and a former First-Team All-Pro.
Just two seasons ago, he led the entire league in sacks. Over his tenure with Cincinnati, he piled up 61 sacks in 72 games - that’s the kind of production that doesn’t grow on trees.
At 31, Hendrickson may not be in line for a lengthy deal, but he’s still got the tools to be a difference-maker off the edge. Spotrac projects his market value around two years, $50.8 million - a deal that reflects both his past dominance and the risk/reward calculus teams will weigh given his recent health issues.
The Patriots, with cap space to work with, are in a position to make a move. A short-term contract with strong incentives could be the sweet spot - giving them a proven pass rusher without locking into a long-term commitment. As Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox noted, Hendrickson is still viewed as a top-tier free-agent target when healthy, and he brings the size (6'4", 265 pounds), motor, and track record that teams covet.
That said, New England could also pivot toward a younger, more affordable option to build around for the future. But if they're looking for an immediate impact and veteran leadership on the edge, Hendrickson fits the mold.
In a season where the Patriots are looking to retool and reestablish their defensive identity, adding a player like Hendrickson - even with some recent injury concerns - could be a smart, calculated swing.