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Fox News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
3 best trade destinations for disgruntled Bengals star Trey Hendrickson
Barring a drastic, overnight change of mind, it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals. The star pass-rusher, who has totaled 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, requested a trade in March and isn't taking part in the Bengals' offseason program. Meanwhile, the Bengals signed wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (four-year, $161 million deal) and Tee Higgins (four-year, $115 million deal) and tight end Mike Gesicki (three-year, $25 million deal) to new deals. They also drafted Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hendrickson, who ranked fifth among edge defenders with a 90.4 pass-rush grade and eighth with an 88.1 overall grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus, is one of the elite defensive ends in the NFL and can help transform any defense from the jump. With that in mind, here are the three best trade destinations for Hendrickson, who's set to hit the open market after the 2025 season. The Colts are in no man's land. They've won eight-plus games in back-to-back seasons but also missed the playoffs in each of the last four. An area that could still use improvement? Their pass rush. Last season, the Colts totaled 36 sacks, which was tied for 25th in the NFL. That's where Hendrickson enters the chat. The star defensive end has posted double-digit sacks in four of the past five years. He'd join a defensive end group that includes Kwity Paye, who has blossomed into a reliable starter, 2024 first-rounder Laiatu Latu and 2025 second-rounder JT Tuimoloau. While the Colts have depth off the edge, Hendrickson would immediately become the featured part of their defense, which is now under the direction of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who, by the way, was Hendrickson's defensive coordinator with the Bengals from 2021-24. He'd strengthen a reputable part of this roster but, furthermore, make it their identity. The 2025 season is pivotal for third-year head coach Shane Steichen and the Colts, especially with the quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. They've gotten better in the back end of their defense by signing Cam Bynum (four-year, $60 million deal) and Charvarius Ward (three-year, $54 million deal) this offseason. Going for the jugular and getting Hendrickson would finish off a defensive facelift and could give Indianapolis a top-10 defense. All that said, the Colts may view their future, particularly at quarterback, as too volatile to trade as much as a future first-rounder and give out a mammoth contract thereafter for an impact player. The Panthers gave up the most total yards (404.5 per game), rushing yards (179.8 per game) and points (31.4 per game) in the NFL and were tied for 29th with 32 sacks last season. Needless to say, Carolina could use help off the edge. Now, the Panthers got better in their front seven this offseason by signing defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton and linebacker Patrick Jones, who each totaled a career-high in sacks last season, with 6.5 and seven sacks, respectively. In the draft, Carolina took a pair of defensive ends, Nic Scourton at pick No. 51 and Princely Umanmielen at No. 77. But they still don't have a blue-chip pass-rusher who can get them off the field on third down. Know who is a proven blue-chip pass rusher? Hendrickson would become the leader of the Panthers' defense, giving them somebody whom defenses have to game-plan for. This is a five-win team that was previously coming off a two-win season. Ultimately, whether quarterback Bryce Young pans out looms greatest for Carolina, but if its defense continues to be one of the worst in the league, the franchise can only do so much. Maybe Jones builds on his 2024 campaign, D.J. Wonnum stays on the field and one of Scourton and Umanmielen impresses in their rookie campaign. But adding Hendrickson to the mix takes the pressure off that collective bunch to all have standout seasons and gives Carolina the jolt that its defense needs. What could stop the Panthers from making a deal for Hendrickson, though, is them potentially feeling that they have to be closer to playoff contention to surrender significant draft assets against the backdrop of the haul they gave up to get Young two years ago — two first-rounders, two second-rounders and wide receiver D.J. Moore. It's go time for the Cardinals. Jonathan Gannon is entering Year 3 as head coach, the franchise continues to roll with Kyler Murray, and they used their 2023 and 2024 first-round picks on offense (offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.). Hendrickson would help lift a defense that was middle-of-the-pack in 2024 to a top-tier one in 2025. Arizona totaled a respectable 41 sacks last season, which was tied for 13th in the league. Then again, linebacker Zaven Collins led the Cardinals with just five sacks. More is needed in that department. Drafting Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and signing linebacker Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million deal are impact moves. Acquire Hendrickson and the Cardinals have one of the best pass-rushes in the NFL. Hendrickson and Sweat would be an elite edge-rusher combination, with their pairing emphatically solving a shortcoming in Arizona's defense. Edge rusher is one of the few undisputed premium positions in the sport. Sweat's $19.1 million average annual salary is manageable, and paying Hendrickson near top-dollar ($30-35 million per season) is worth the price of admission. The needle is pointing upward for the Cardinals, but all three teams in their division, the NFC West, have reason to be internally bullish on 2025, too; the Los Angeles Rams reached the NFC divisional round last season; the Seattle Seahawks have won nine-plus games in each of the past three seasons; the San Francisco 49ers are a year removed from getting to the Super Bowl. Arizona has to rise at some point, and that time is now. Hendrickson would give the Cardinals tangible reason to believe they can win the NFC West and then some next season. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mike Gesicki stats, game log, news, injury status
Mike Gesicki stats, game log, news, injury status We'll see Mike Gesicki and the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time in 2025 on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. ET, meeting the Cleveland Browns in their season opener. Gesicki reeled in 65 passes on 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns last year, putting up 41.6 yards per game. Get Bengals tickets on StubHub! Mike Gesicki injury news Gesicki is not currently on this week's injury list. The Bengals have no other receiver on the injury list. Mike Gesicki stats (2024) Targets: 83 83 Receptions: 65 65 Receiving yards: 665 665 Receiving YAC: 245 245 Receiving TDs: 2 Gesicki game log (2024) Week 1 vs. Patriots: 4 TAR, 3 REC, 18 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 4 TAR, 3 REC, 18 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 2 at Chiefs: 9 TAR, 7 REC, 91 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 9 TAR, 7 REC, 91 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 3 vs. Commanders: 5 TAR, 4 REC, 47 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 5 TAR, 4 REC, 47 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 4 at Panthers: 1 TAR, 1 REC, -9 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 1 TAR, 1 REC, -9 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 5 vs. Ravens: 2 TAR, 2 REC, 31 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 2 TAR, 2 REC, 31 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 7 at Browns: 1 TAR, 1 REC, 2 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 1 TAR, 1 REC, 2 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 8 vs. Eagles: 8 TAR, 7 REC, 73 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 8 TAR, 7 REC, 73 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 9 vs. Raiders: 6 TAR, 5 REC, 100 REC YDS, 2 REC TD 6 TAR, 5 REC, 100 REC YDS, 2 REC TD Week 10 at Ravens: 9 TAR, 4 REC, 30 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 9 TAR, 4 REC, 30 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 11 at Chargers: 2 TAR, 0 REC, 0 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 2 TAR, 0 REC, 0 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 13 vs. Steelers: 5 TAR, 5 REC, 53 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 5 TAR, 5 REC, 53 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 14 at Cowboys: 3 TAR, 3 REC, 24 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 3 TAR, 3 REC, 24 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 15 at Titans: 4 TAR, 3 REC, 37 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 4 TAR, 3 REC, 37 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 16 vs. Browns: 2 TAR, 2 REC, 14 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 2 TAR, 2 REC, 14 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 17 vs. Broncos: 12 TAR, 10 REC, 86 REC YDS, 0 REC TD 12 TAR, 10 REC, 86 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Week 18 at Steelers: 10 TAR, 8 REC, 68 REC YDS, 0 REC TD Mike Gesicki fantasy insights (2024) With 76.5 fantasy points (4.8 per game), Gesicki was 17th at his position and 200th in the league. Gesicki picked up 22.0 fantasy points -- five catches, 100 yards and two touchdowns -- in Week 9 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, his best game of the season. Gesicki's 9.1 fantasy points in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs -- seven receptions, 91 yards -- were his second-best fantasy output of the season. In his worst game of the season -- Week 4 versus the Carolina Panthers -- Gesicki finished with -0.9 fantasy points. His stat line: one catch, -9 yards, on one target. Next game: Mike Gesicki vs. the Cleveland Browns Gesicki's Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) have a Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns (0-0). How to watch Mike Gesicki and the Bengals Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Time: 1 p.m. ET 1 p.m. ET Date: September 7, 2025 September 7, 2025 TV: FOX FOX Live stream: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply) Watch Bengals vs. Browns on Fubo!
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki threw out a not-great first pitch at Reds game
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki threw out a not-great first pitch at Reds game Mike Gesicki threw out the first pitch — Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) May 15, 2025 When it comes to Cincinnati Bengals players throwing out the first pitch at Cincinnati Reds games, let's just say fans have seen a few better than Mike Gesicki over the years. Gesicki hit the mound before a Reds game this week and delivered the first pitch. It was a bit (a lot) high, to the point the catcher had to get out of his stance to help and still couldn't save it. It feels like an oh-so-Gesicki moment at this point, though, considering one of his other famous struggles is his complete inability to hit a Griddy well. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals 2025 game-by-game predictions following schedule release Jokes aside, the Bengals re-upped with Gesicki this past offseason on a three-year extension, locking him into Joe Burrow's offense for the foreseeable future. Meaning, maybe he'll get another shot at a first pitch soon. RELATED: Bengals schedule release: Quick thoughts on primetime games and more
NBC Sports
09-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Mike Gesicki says he's staying in Cincinnati to compete for a championship
Rather than test free agency, Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki agreed to a three-year contract on Saturday to remain in Cincinnati. He says that's because he wants to bring a Lombardi Trophy to town. 'Everybody's goal in Cincinnati is to compete for a championship, and that's another reason I wanted to come back,' Gesicki told Gesicki has signed one-year contracts three seasons in a row with the Dolphins in 2022, Patriots in 2023 and Bengals in 2024, but he said the three-year contract he's signing now gives him stability with the Bengals and two people he very much wants to keep working with, coach Zac Taylor and quarterback Joe Burrow. 'It's been, 'Prove it, prove it, prove it.' I just wanted to get in the right situation with a coach that believes in me and a quarterback that believes in me and I found that in Cincinnati,' Gesicki said. 'With Zac and Joe, why go anywhere else?' The Bengals still have work to do in keeping their offense intact, with receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase both due for long-term contract extensions. Keeping their offensive talent together is the first step toward bringing a championship to Cincinnati.
NBC Sports
16-02-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Chiefs want to know Travis Kelce's plans "around March 14"
We recently surmised that the Chiefs will want to know tight end Travis Kelce's plans soon. We surmised correctly. For a change. The recently reported that the Chiefs want to know Kelce's plans 'around March 14.' March 14 is an important date, given that it's both the start of the new league year and the last day to remove him from the roster before he earns an $11.5 million roster bonus. Kelce's comments from the latest episode of the New Heights podcast strongly suggest that he's leaning toward moving on. The attachment of a fairly short fuse to his deliberations could become a nudge, even if that's not the team's intent. Ultimately, the Chiefs need to know whether they should pursue free agents like Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki. That's why a delay of the deadline for the roster bonus is only a partial solution. The Chiefs would still carry a $19.8 million cap number for Kelce, which would plummet to $2.5 million if Kelce retires or is released. And even if they have the space to sign someone like Mike Gesicki or Tyler Conklin or Zach Ertz, the Chiefs won't want to sign Kelce's replacement if they ultimately won't be replacing him.
