The New England Patriots know that despite making the Super Bowl, they will have to make big moves during the NFL offseason. New England has needs on the offensive and defensive lines, while also looking for a wide receiver to lead the room. However, the Patriots have been specifically linked to an elite pass rusher in NFL free agency.
The Patriots are interested in signing star free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson after the Cincinnati Bengals didn't give him the franchise tag, MassLive's Mark Daniels reports. However, it would be the right price for Hendrickson to stay in New England this offseason, as the organization wants flexibility for other moves as well.
Over the past three seasons, Hendrickson has been one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Despite a four-sack season in 2025, the 31-year-old defensive end had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024. Hendrickson is projected to receive a very large contract in NFL free agency, as players of his caliber do not typically enter the market.
New England needs edge rushers to bolster the defense in the 2026-27 NFL season. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore were the leaders of the defensive line on the interior, but the outside struggled to beat the quarterback. There would be no better choice than Hendrickson to address that issue.
While it may seem like a long shot, the Patriots signing Hendrickson would bring an already great defense to elite status. New England will be in the market for multiple edge rushers in free agency and the NFL Draft, but Hendrickson will help alleviate that need. After all, the Patriots know what an elite defense can do to an offensive line, and Hendrickson would be an excellent addition.
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