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The Cincinnati Bengals are on a bye in Week 10 following a heartbreaking 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears. More Football: NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Eagles LB Who Injured Giants’ Cam Skattebo The defeat after a hard-fought comeback in the fourth quarter dropped the Bengals to 3-6. With Cincinnati’s playoff hopes in jeopardy before the trade deadline on Tuesday, defensive end Trey Hendrickson was a player many in league circles thought could be on the move. However, the Bengals didn’t pull off a trade by 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, and Hendrickson is set to finish his final year under contract with Cincinnati. GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 12: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 12, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) More Football: Christian McCaffrey Makes NFL History in 49ers’ Win Over Giants Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated explained what went into the Bengals’ decision to keep Hendrickson. For one, Cincinnati didn’t receive much interest in the 30-year-old defensive end. The team never had a “hard” offer for Hendrickson. Despite only having four sacks this season, the Bengals wanted a Day 2 pick for the pass rusher. Breer also believes that Cincinnati wanted to avoid having a morale problem if they traded Hendrickson. “Also, I don’t think they view themselves as dead yet, and taking a chunk out of a struggling defense would’ve been a problem for the team,” Breer wrote. “Listening to what came from that locker room after the Bears debacle, it seems like things are teetering. Giving up on the season could’ve pushed things over the edge.” Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase voiced his frustration while heading into the locker room after the game on Sunday that the defense couldn’t make a stop to defeat Chicago. Running back Chase Brown had choice words for the defense when talking to reporters. “We put the ball in the end zone [in the final minute] and go up a point at the end,” Brown said. “Finish the [expletive] game. Like, just end it. That’s it. That’s what we need to do. Just end the [expletive] game.” Still, the Bengals’ decision not to get anything in return for Hendrickson is a risk. If Cincinnati does not wind up making an improbable run to make the playoffs, they won’t even have a Day 3 pick to show for Hendrickson before he likely leaves the team for free agency. For more on the Bengals and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
