Could Morgan be eyeing Trey Hendrickson

[PleaseCutStewart]

Wouldn't like it, but I guess the good news is we could get him for like a 2 year deal so he is gone by the end of the 2027 season 

[tukafan21]

Not a fan of giving out big money to a player coming off an injury and who will turn 32 during this next season.

I'm more open to going after Crosby as he's 2.5 years younger, but I also don't love that as we'd have to trade for him and I'm sure the Raiders aren't giving him away on the cheap on top of needing to then give him an extension.

[TylerDurden]

I remember when he came to the agreement with Cincy to end his holdout, the way it was reported sounded like the agreement was strictly to end the holdout and that ultimately, he would move on from Cincy after this past season.  So, I think that was always the plan.  So, him having a down year production-wise after that, as well as not playing as much doesn’t surprise me.  I suspect he was protecting himself and just trying to get through the year so he could get paid again this offseason.  
 

all that being said, that doesn’t feel very promising as a team looking into acquiring his services.  25M seems quite steep all things considered.  That being said, I expect our FO to make an all out push to get him.

[rodeo]

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

yes and build depth outside of that, so I dont think our window has started yet and then of course there is the bryce situation.  

Yeah Bryce isn't  a guy you look at as someone who is going to lead you to the SB, but I think he could be the Trent Dilfer for a top defense. All we'd need is 2 TDs to TMac and Coker in each post-season game and let a top defense do the rest.

We have a long way to go but Hendrickson, Kyle Dugger, and a 1st round ILB would look pretty good,

[SCO96]

If we ran a 4-3 defense and had him playing next to Derrick Brown (as 4-3 NT or 3 Technique ideally) I'd make that move in a minute. He weighs about 270 and is tailor made to play as an edge rusher in a 4-3 defense.

However, we seem to be locked in to the 3-4 scheme in Carolina. Hendrickson is too small to play has a 3-4 DE. That position would also neutralize his ability to come off the edge b/c he would now be playing inside of a OLB and going up against interior lineman.

I don't think he's ever played as an OLB either. He's be bad fit in Carolina unless we moved to a 4-3 defensive scheme.

[PadresPanthersFan]

I say pass. Keep building through the draft. Sign your own studs. Throw some fa money to fill major holes but don't break the bank

[strato]

Dan promised not to be reckless.  
But this Icky situation impacts what he can do in the draft, I am afraid.  
It comes down to can we best replace Icky in FA or through the draft, and if it looks like draft then they will use FA for their edge.  
 

If it is only two years, and it fails, it is not the end of the world.  I guess.  

[PanthersNCSU]

Mike Kaye has mentioned him, but go after the other Bengal, Ossai. Get Ossai who's entering his prime years for 30% of the price, and then use the money to fill other needs. 

Scourton, Ossai, Pat Jones, Princely, Draft Pick. Unless a 26-27 year old star is there, a 31 year old Hendrickson commanding big money seems like a poor allocation of resources. 

[TD alt]

I'd be shocked to be honest. This isn't how you build a team within the context of our situation. I don't see us in win-now mode as much as build-now mode.

[L-TownCat]

4 hours ago, PantherChris said:

Thats a lot of money for a 31 year old coming off a bad season who isn't a scheme fit.

This 1000 x’s this!

What a colossal mistake it would be to sign an old 4-3 DE coming off an injury plagued season to big money so he can play OLB for a DC that doesn’t prioritize rushing the passer.

What the actual fug?

[DaveThePanther2008]

I think this would be a good move.  I remember us saying the same thing about Peppers and many thought he was done but he went to GB and Chicago and continued to have success and came back home and still played at a high level. 

I think guys with great technique can play well past 30.  

If I had to choose between trading for Crosby and what we would have to give up to get him and signing Trey.  I would go after Hendrickson.

 

[strato]

Lots left to play out. We don’t know Evero will be here. We don’t know what else they might be thinking.
And we really don’t know if that is what Morgan is thinking for that matter.  

Any player that could be available that is a pass rusher will probably get the same treatment with the speculation etc. 

I have said for years that we are stuck in the 3-4 with Tepper but maybe I am wrong. 

[Lurk21]

9 minutes ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

I think this would be a good move.  I remember us saying the same thing about Peppers and many thought he was done but he went to GB and Chicago and continued to have success and came back home and still played at a high level. 

I think guys with great technique can play well past 30.  

If I had to choose between trading for Crosby and what we would have to give up to get him and signing Trey.  I would go after Hendrickson.

 

Trey has plenty of tape standing up surprisingly. Guys like him have the technique and IQ to play the position for awhile. Cincy definitely  did him wrong and I'd gladly accept  him.  He would allow us to continue developing  Princely etc too.  Take an MLB or olineman with 19 or trade back and add more picks.  I'd assume free agent rushers would welcome the fact we have good coverage. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

7 hours ago, Jackson113.2 said:

Carolina Panthers projected to take massive swing for Trey Hendrickson in free agency

And one ESPN analyst believes the Panthers have a clear path to one blockbuster free-agent signing that would shake the NFL to its foundations.

Aaron Schatz thought the Panthers make a ton of sense for edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, whose time with the Cincinnati Bengals looks up. This isn't the sort of signing Morgan typically goes for, but Carolina is ready to win now. That changes the landscape considerably.

"The Panthers will pay big money to Trey Hendrickson. The Panthers ranked 24th in pass rush win rate this season, and while they took two edge rushers high in the 2025 draft (Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen), they could use a steady veteran to lead the attack."

Aaron Schatz, ESPN

Acquiring Hendrickson won't be cheap. The NFL's sack leader in 2023 and 2024 should be in high demand on the open market, and the Bengals will likely allow him to explore other employment opportunities. It would be an all-in move from Morgan, but the rewards might be substantial as the Panthers look to get over the hump.

Hendrickson is an elite pass-rusher. His relentless motor, exceptional technique, and violent hands make him a legitimate force that very few around the league can match. He may be 31 years old now, but there is nothing to suggest that he cannot keep performing well at the tail-end of his playing journey.

According to Spotrac, Hendrickson is expected to command an annual salary of $25.44 million on a two-year, $50.89 million deal. The Panthers would have to move some money around to make it work, but now is the time to strike after winning the NFC South and making the playoffs in 2025.

https://catcrave.com/panthers-might-be-sitting-bombshell-free-agent-splash-that-rattles-nfl?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbPhBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR72KbrmxZzxalgaGqf86zp1Y6dUeyZqW6GsWP5InhG1BFjr6EQ78felypdTnw_aem_jPLn7ptGlzbuMjk4aXXLLQ

Ash-Trey Hendrickson