With Trey Hendrickson on his way out, the Bengals could trade for emerging 6-foot-6 defensive tackle.
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the offseason looking to make changes to their defense after a disappointing 2025 campaign. While the offense remained productive behind quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco, the defensive unit struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks or hold up against the run, issues that became increasingly evident as the season progressed.
The Bengals relied heavily on star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in recent years, but depth across the defensive line remained a recurring concern. As the season ended, the organization made it clear that improving the defense would be a priority heading into 2026.
On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that the Bengals opted not to place the $30.2 million franchise tag on Hendrickson. The decision effectively provided a clue of how the franchise plans to rebuild its defensive unit this offseason. Instead of committing a massive portion of the salary cap to a single pass rusher, Cincinnati appears more inclined to spread its resources across the defensive unit in hopes of creating a more balanced and sustainable group.
With Hendrickson likely moving on, the Bengals are now exploring multiple ways to reinforce their defensive line — including the possibility of acquiring talent through the trade market.
Bengals Linked to Bears Defensive Tackle Gervon Dexter
One name that has emerged is Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, a 6-foot-6 interior lineman who could provide size and pass-rushing ability to Cincinnati’s defensive front.
According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, several teams have already reached out to Chicago about Dexter’s availability.
“Teams have inquired with the Bears about trading for DT Gervon Dexter, as the free-agent DT market and draft class are not deep,” Schultz reported during the NFL Combine.
Dexter, 24, started all 17 games during the 2025 season for Chicago and continued to show growth as an interior disruptor. He finished the year with 44 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits, producing the most sacks among Bears defensive tackles.
The former second-round pick has also been a consistent presence along Chicago’s defensive front since entering the league. Across his first three seasons, Dexter has compiled 13.5 sacks and 42 quarterback hits, demonstrating the kind of interior pressure that many teams covet.
While he has not yet developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, Dexter’s pass-rushing upside continues to make him an intriguing option for teams seeking affordable defensive line help. His ability to collapse the pocket from the interior could make him particularly valuable for a Bengals defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure outside of Hendrickson.
Why Dexter Could Fit Cincinnati’s Defensive Rebuild
From Cincinnati’s perspective, adding a player like Dexter would be a major step in rebuilding a defensive unit that has held the team back for years. Instead of committing a large contract to replace Hendrickson with another expensive veteran, the Bengals could look to acquire younger players on manageable deals while building depth along the defensive line. Dexter fits that profile well.
He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which carries a cap hit of just over $2 million for the 2026 season — a relatively low-cost option for a starting-caliber defensive tackle. That affordability would allow Cincinnati to continue addressing other defensive needs, whether through free agency or the draft.