Adam Peters has been aggressive in making trades this offseason to strengthen the Washington Commanders’ chances of another deep playoff run in 2025. One NFL analyst believes he should continue down this path to address a key roster need.
The Commanders have already executed two major trades for elite talent. Peters sent a fifth-round pick to his former team to acquire dynamic wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., who is eager to prove himself after being let go by the San Francisco 49ers.
Additionally, Peters made a significant move by securing left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. This acquisition gives Washington its most dominant blindside protector since Trent Williams and further solidifies their investment in quarterback Jayden Daniels following his outstanding rookie season.
NFL analyst once again implores Commanders to trade for Trey Hendrickson
As a result, the Commanders now have only five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Financial constraints make another trade challenging, but that hasn’t stopped Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus from suggesting a move for another top-tier veteran.
Cameron, along with several other analysts this offseason, believes the Commanders should pursue Trey Hendrickson instead of relying on a developing rookie from the college ranks. While the Cincinnati Bengals have been hesitant to part ways with the pass rusher, the situation remains uncertain and could still shift in either direction.
Washington’s defense struggled to generate consistent pressure from the edge last season, finishing with a 19.4% pass-rush win rate—ranking 24th in the NFL. Dorance Armstrong was the only edge rusher on the team to earn a PFF pass-rush grade above 66.0.
Earlier this offseason, Trey Hendrickson requested permission to explore trade opportunities. The 30-year-old pass rusher was also seeking a contract extension, as his current deal expires after the 2025 season. However, he now seems to be the odd man out in Cincinnati’s future plans.
Hendrickson is coming off the best year of his career, posting a top-five PFF pass-rush grade (90.4) and leading the league with 18 sacks. His dominant production makes him an ideal addition to elevate Dan Quinn’s defense.
The Bengals are reportedly working on an extension for Hendrickson after securing deals for Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. However, nothing has been finalized yet, so it might be worth Peters making a call to gauge the situation.
Hendrickson would be a significant upgrade over Washington’s current edge rushers. As an All-Pro-caliber player with 35 sacks over the past two seasons, he brings both elite production and strong leadership—qualities that would align well with the Commanders’ cultural reset.
While the idea is appealing, it’s an unlikely scenario. Washington may not have the draft capital necessary to make a deal happen, even if they were interested. Additionally, Hendrickson is seeking a new contract, which, given the current market trends, would likely exceed $30 million per year.
For now, the Commanders appear content with their veteran pass rushers and could look to add a promising rookie through the draft. While that option doesn’t come with Hendrickson’s proven track record, Peters has prioritized using trade assets to support Jayden Daniels’ rise to stardom.
That was the right decision—even if it means missing out on Hendrickson.
