The Bucs And Trey Hendrickson
August 17th, 2025
“Joel, you killed me with that Micah Parsons question.”
No. No. No. The 2025 Buccaneers are not trading for a monster pass rusher.
Let it go. Get it out of your head.
It’s not the way of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht. He didn’t build the beastly current roster by chasing dreams through coughing up draft picks.
It’s become clear this weekend that the Bengals officially want to trade first-team All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson had 17 1/2 sacks last season. A fluke? Nope. Hendrickson had the same total in 2023.
The 30-year-old Florida man is a mauler, a Licht kind of guy, in fact, a third-round pick out of Florida Atlantic University.
Hendrickson was drafted by the slimy Saints in 2017 and didn’t have a good year until breaking out in 2020. He grinded and developed, and then had four straight Pro Bowl years for the Bengals, the team that doesn’t want to pay him a fat contract.
Whatever the cost to secure Hendrickson, the Bucs aren’t going there. They’d have to guarantee Hendrickson a lot of money and possibly cough up a first-round pick and second-year edge rusher Chris Braswell.
That’s not in the plan, Joe believes, not matter how ferocious that deal could make the Bucs’ pass rush and enhance their 2025 Super Bowl dreams.
Maybe that’s smart. Maybe that’s business.
Maybe that’s front-office discipline, the kind that’s made a potential Hendrickson signing feel like the final cog in a Super Bowl chase.
Joe’s not sure.
Landing Hendrickson sure would be entertaining and exciting. But Joe is resigned to hoping Hendrickson won’t find his way to Detroit or Washington.
August 17th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
“… hoping Hendrickson won’t find his way to Detroit or Washington”… or Atlanta, or New Orleans, or Carolina…
August 17th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
yeah Jason Licht is a bargain shopper only
August 17th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
That’s my biggest concern too Hawk. More so that he lands with the Falcons, Lions, or Commanders.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
I would love to have him though if we could. Just depends on if he is worth it all.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
If he was younger it would be worth flipping a couple of 2’s over. We’re gonna have to pay mayfield, goedke, mauch and Kancey very soon. The money ain’t there when you factor those upcoming big ticket items.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Something about this current organization they always seem to have a major hang-up about getting a proven pass rusher. You can bet when they get called on it they will tell that they drafted the next Lawrence Taylor in the fourth but because of injury…..
When it comes to pass rushers there’s always an excuse with this bunch.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
if its a 1st rounder and Braswell then DO IT. Trey would put this team over the top and the 1st rounder would not matter
August 17th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
Not concerned where he goes, frankly. If he ends up in our division, that’s okay. He will strap whatever team he goes to for a huge cap hit; we know how that always works in the long run. Also, I have faith in our tackles to handle him.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
If the Bucs want to make it deep into the playoffs they will need a strong rotation of rushers. Bowles can’t rely on scheming blitzes all the time.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Players win games (not future draft picks and money).. winners take risks… where was all that discipline during the Brady years.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Falcons- won’t trade for him, they spent too much draft capital on d.e.
Panthers- won’t trade for him, they are rebuilding.
Saints- won’t trade for him, they are rebuilding.
It would be a bad move for any of the other teams in the division to go get him. Really only makes sense for about 4-5 teams in the league, and tampa is one of them.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Shefty just said on “NFL Live” this past Thursday or Friday, that the Bengals were extremely close to reaching a deal with Hendrickson, & expect it to be completed and him ‘on the field’ for Week-1. It sounded like Trey is now actually open to just the 2-year extension, BUT it will be for a BOATLOAD of $$$$. So, we’ll see… Looks like this ‘pipe-dream’ is almost over.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
who needs a pass rusher when we drafted BRASWELL in the 2nd Round.
Seriously Joe, when are we gonna put some pressure on Jason LIGHT
who needs Jalen Ramsey when we have Jamel Dean #35 lockdown outside corner…
YEA RIGHT !!!!
Jason LIGHT won’t do what it takes, the BUCS are CHEAPSKATES !!!!
August 17th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Watch the rams get him and get back to the big game before us, despite us winning more since.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Why write Click Bait?
Why confuse what was written here with clickbait? This an opinion-driven website with lots of news. It’s been the same since Day 1 back in 2008. Trey Hendrickson on the market is a topic on the minds of NFL fans and Bucs fans. Joe offered an educated opinion on the subject. That’s what’s done here. Suggestion would be not to read anything you think you might not like. –Joe
August 17th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Some of you are wishing Mark Dominik was still our GM because he’d not only do this but get fleeced in the process like that terrible Revis trade in 2013 and the Jets still stink
August 17th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
licht can throw trask in to sweeten the deal
August 17th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
The Hendrickson never made any sense to begin with, at that age and cost. The Parsons deal is an entirely different story. Age and ‘long-term’ deal spread-out over multiple seasons, that would ‘look-like’ (and become) a BARGAIN, within just another 2-years, as the cap continues to rise, and we see our ‘first’ $50-MIL per year Pass Rusher. Who cares about TWO LATE ‘first-round’ picks… IF JL could get HIMMMM for just that, then it’d be a total done deal, & he couldn’t do it quick enough. Guaranteed.💯 Generational Talent. JUST Hitting His Prime. That NEVER Happens. Those Guys NEVER Become Available, Like That. Hell, then you could even ‘move him’ in another 4-5 years anyway, & recoup the ‘picks’ at THE perfect time, to start ‘stock-piling’ them with an eye-on Baker’s replacement. Now THAT, is how you manage your franchise and TEAM. 💯
August 17th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
The Bucs are CHEAPSKATES? That 2020 Lombardi trophy might disagree.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Trey Hendrickson is too old to trade premium draft picks for. You don’t trade premium draft picks for a old man( Edge Rushers are old at 30, and slowing, their best years are behind them). If he was a 30 year old QB, l would make the trade in a heartbeat. And to make matters worse, he seeking a long term contract for $40 million a season.
No team is going to trade for him
August 17th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
The advantage of building the team via the draft like Licht is doing is it allows you to keep more of your current players that are playing great. As @Obvious noted above, the BUCS have some important players coming up we need to resign, including Baker. They’re going to want to get paid. Signing Hendrickson will make it more difficult to keep all those players without putting us back into salary cap hell.
For sure I’d love to have Hendrickson if there was no salary cap in the NFL, but there is. And the negative consequences caused by trading for him are significant.
August 17th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
You need a splash player to win the Superbowl, the Glazers are cheap ass they got lucky with Brady, the Bucs won’t win another Superbowl with those owners.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
Atlanta drafted 2 edge rushers, giving up picks to move up to get one. He ain’t going there. Not sure where he’ll end up, but most teams value those picks, and their cheap contracts. NFL teams invest a lot in their scouting staffs, and coaches. The draft itself is a money maker for teams. Block buster deals are becoming a thing of the past.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
I feel like this was targeted at me lol
August 17th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
And I like Trey Hendrickson, he went to Apopka High
The same high school as Warren Sapp and Jalen Carter
August 17th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
@Jarrett
A genuine question with no snark intended. You posted…
“Jason LIGHT won’t do what it takes, the BUCS are CHEAPSKATES !!!!”
This is not the first time I’ve seen “cheapskates” in connection with Bucs management, or the Glazers. What do you guys mean by this?
You do realize that the Bucs spend the same amount as all the other teams due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Salary Cap. NO team is cheaper than another.
Now if you wish to compare facilities or how much booze you get in your drink to other franchises perhaps you could debate. But all the teams spend roughly the same amount on players, the max allowed by the CAP.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
I actually think the price will not be as high as everyone thinks. Considering age, salary expectations and his seemingly unwillingness for the Bengals to pay him.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Watt just resigned for a $123m deal, that’s the type of money Hendrickson wants. The Bengals can kick rocks.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Yeah right, this trade is the easiest in the history of the NFL. All Licht has to do is trade the savior; Mr 54 completion percent, almost killed my receiver, saved by the rookie EE and dei hire of a joke with a bucket of pop corn. Should be enough to drop Hendrickson 20 yards down field every Sunday!
August 17th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
I guess Joe’s comment moderator must be taking the night off… I have TWO that has now been stuck there for over an HOUR. One was in response to “Jmarkbuc’s” question to me on the JMac post (which should’ve made 50 total comments now), & the other one was on this particular post here on Trey Hendrickson (of course I didn’t save that one). It’s SO frustrating. The only reason this has all started was because I tried spelling-out the entire word for “soph” (as in Freshman/Junior/Senior). Total BS.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Moderator on vacation? I now have THREE posts stuck there, over the past HOUR+?
The intern moderator takes knitting class on Sunday evenings and would appreciate your support. –Joe
August 17th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Let’s trade Jamel Dean, Anthony Nelson, Rakim Jarret, and Kyle Trask, our 2026 1st round and 2027 3rd (conditional to 1st) For Hendrickson.
August 17th, 2025 at 9:03 pm
in a few weeks we will see. we dont have a lot on haason and the price might come down. i would give up a jts level draft pick for a super bowl
August 17th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Drafted in 2017 and broke out in 2020. BE PATIENT WITH OUR YOUNG GUYS. That’s all I got to say
August 17th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Did you all see that the Minnesota Vikings now have two male cheerleaders on the sidelines. I’m telling you now Tampa Bay, don’t do it. I will quit watching you as soon as it happens. I promise. Almost stopped watching when Mike Evans took a knee during the National anthem a few years back. He came to his senses thankfully and never did it again. You better too.
August 17th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
If he goes a few weeks without playing , a second and third round pick will do the trick.
August 17th, 2025 at 9:16 pm
lol Robert get ready….. Bucs have 9
August 17th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Not going to happen for the Bucs at premium ask.
Knitting class – classic Joe
August 17th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Joe, your article didn’t mention the contract Hendrickson is seeking – $40M per year.
The day Jason Licht voluntarily commits $40M per year to an over 30 pass rusher is the day the clock starts on his firing. The odds are against it working out, and it skewers negotiations to retain other talent. Several young players would have to be let go in free agency to make that deal work.
August 17th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
For what it’s worth, Ronde was talking up the idea of a trade for Hendrickson on his show. If he’s got some inside info, there might be a reason he didn’t dismiss. But with all the guys who need to get paid coming up, I’m not sure how they pull it off exactly – but YaYa would be part of any deal I got a feeling, along with probably Dean and some high picks.
August 17th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Calling the Bucs cheapskates while they spend up to the salary cap limits… Yeah…
August 17th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
What’s up with clickbait, Joe? That’s what gets eyeballs and ad $$$$ and helps this site survive. You all know it.
August 17th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Knock off the monitor crap with my comments. You have tech gremlins?
August 17th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
I’d rather trade for a real head coach and a real defensive coordinator. Two different humans.
August 17th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Well, it took Hendrickson 4 years until he became a monster pass rusher. So, you’re saying there’s a chance with Braswell!
August 17th, 2025 at 10:50 pm
Braswell and a 2nd round pick would get it done. Then 5 years $135m with $90m guaranteed.
August 17th, 2025 at 10:50 pm
Fellow Bucs fans…if you have a post in moderation…LEARN from it.
As the joe’s have said repeatedly…they don’t have or want the time to go through hundreds of posts. Old Jets coach Herman used to say…DOn’T HIT SEND…DON’T HIT SEND…lol…the Joe’s have given us a great community and sounding board after others fell by the way side.
let’s give them respect and follow the rules…GO BUCS
August 17th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
oralbuc – it’s obvious. You’re not a fun poster.
August 17th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Those who want JL to trade for Hendrickson – Bowels would have him playing like JTS meets Elmer Fudd in no time. Jason knows this.
August 17th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Age? JPP was 29 when the Bucs got him for a 3 rd pick. Cost? Anything more than a 3 and one of the edge rushers not named Reddick works be intolerable.
But there are too many players to re-sign already here. Pay him and it will turn players who have been drafted here and worked here and sweated here against management. It will ruin the chemistry of the team. It will bring back the “me first” mentality that they’ve been trying so hard to get rid of.
Don’t do it.
August 17th, 2025 at 11:44 pm
I would trade a 1st plus Braswell in a heartbeat, personally…
But it would prob cost two #1s at minimum…
August 17th, 2025 at 11:47 pm
Also where can I buy some JBF crochet items? Let’s put that intern to work!!
August 18th, 2025 at 1:32 am
Because of the money he wants, it’s only 1 or 2 picks. Neither a 1st. I’d do it. Dean, Hall, and LVD could be gone next year and swapped with rookie deals. That’s enough to pay Trey. Do it!!!
August 18th, 2025 at 6:20 am
History shows that dumping the bank account for an aging vet rarely wins superbowls. The Bucs have done very well building within at reasonable cost.
August 18th, 2025 at 6:28 am
You mean except for the year our GM went out and got 2 aging vets by the name of Brady and Gronkowski and went on to win the Super Bowl, you mean other than that year??
GO GET HENDRICKSON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 18th, 2025 at 6:34 am
This deal gets done with a #2 and a #3 or a #1 and a #5.
August 18th, 2025 at 6:49 am
BTW all Trey wants is a 2 year deal for 65 mil guaranteed and to be paid FATR value-that’s it.
August 18th, 2025 at 7:14 am
Don’t sign him. Not that he isn’t a great player. And he may even be worth 1st round picks & the money but we have some kind of voodoo spelling over us that whenever we finally pay a good player big money, they get hurt badly following season. He’d just come and end up on IR… give us a big cap hit and zero production. Wouldn’t even be his fault, would be some random strange injury. That’s why I wouldn’t resign Reddick even if he had 15 sacks because he’ll just get hurt badly here after his big contract signing. Didn’t this happen with Barrett, Godwin, Winfield… anyone else. Am I oversimplifying and being way too superstitious? LOL
August 18th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Trade him for Diaby the bust and a third round pick
August 18th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Aqualung, all my comments posted. And it’s orlbucfan. You think I’m negative? I can’t hold a candle to you in that category.
August 18th, 2025 at 8:58 am
The Bengals won’t trade him. They’re not even trying. To them this is all “negotiation”. Just like the Cowboys and Parsons.
Sh** organizations. Licht and the Bucs are doing it right and taking care of their own.
August 18th, 2025 at 10:21 am
The Bengals certainly will trade him due to the fact that Hendrickson will NOT sign a deal unless it is a 2 year guaranteed and the Bengals are refusing that demand, so they are at an impasse. The 2 most likely suitors are the Lions and the Packers , and do you really want two of your most likely playoff opponents to add the Hendrickson card to their deck? No they do not.
August 18th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
We did it with Brady but it set us back for 2 years but it sure was fun. 😁 If Uncle Jason thought it was a good enough deal he would do it and I trust his decision-making, he’s earned it.
August 18th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
“It’s become clear this weekend that the Bengals officially want to trade first-team All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.” – Joe
I’m guessing they will release him this year or next.
“Hendrickson was drafted by the slimy Saints in 2017 and didn’t have a good year until breaking out in 2020.” – Joe
To me, this is a prime example of giving up on a player instead of developing them. With today’s fans, development is viewed as a one year project.
With today’s fans, Ronde Barber would have had his HoF career elsewhere.
August 18th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Mark Says
“We did it with Brady but it set us back for 2 years but it sure was fun. 😁 If Uncle Jason thought it was a good enough deal he would do it and I trust his decision-making, he’s earned it.”
I agree. And I suspect Tom Brady looks at this roster now and is envious.
August 18th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Over and over again, Licht has demonstrated that character is the number one priority in signing a player. Regardless of picks or compensation, he is NOT going to sign a player who refuses to honor the contract he signed, holding out for more “me” money instead of honoring his agreement and doing what is best for the team. Just ain’t going to happen, folks!
August 18th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
I doubt you could get him with a 1st and Braswell. Not interested. Personally I would however be interested in the coach that coached him up in Cincy. Maybe try to lure their D-ine coach down here with a bigger paycheck/role.
As always Go Bucs
August 18th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Wow some of you are sooooo dumb. Scotty Mack is not
August 18th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
Trade for Micah Parsons if you’re gonna give up the house and a big contract. Hendrickson would be a great addition, but not for a lot of draft capital or $100m.