By Ross Jackson
While their affinity for reunions and familiarity is notable, the New Orleans Saints also look to be finally headed in a new direction.
With a new head coach, new schemes and a new quarterback set to take the reins, asset management, salary cap recovery and team-building all make big swings less likely at this point in the offseason.
One of those big swings that should be taken off the table quickly is a trade for former defensive end, now Cincinnati Bengal Trey Hendrickson.
The #Bengals, even after getting lucrative extensions done with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, still hope to do a deal with Trey Hendrickson despite granting him permission to seek a trade. It won’t be easy, but they are not giving up there.
Joe Burrow publicly pushed for… https://t.co/dOBTlqYZ7m pic.twitter.com/od6Br5p0Vy
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
While the Saints are trying to revamp their defensive approach, bolster their pass rush and restore their run-stopping reputation with new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, funneling assets into a nostalgia-based reunion would be irresponsible.
For a team that was just snake-bitten after signing a 33-year-old quarterback to a big contract that’s just now getting back toward a favorable salary cap situation, giving another 30-plus-year-old player at a premium position a lucrative deal could turn just as sour, just as quickly.
While the Saints, without a doubt, made the wrong decision choosing to see things through with 2018 first-round selection Marcus Davenport instead of re-signing and elevating Hendrickson into a larger role, that’s not reason enough to spend capital so impatiently.
New Orleans just used all nine draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft, a sign that the team is starting to value its opportunity to get younger and build through the draft. The idea of sending those very building blocks to the Bengals in exchange for a swollen contract doesn’t match what the Saints have done over the past few seasons in an attempt to aid their future building potential.
Hendrickson was given a four-year, $60 million deal two years ago. Since then, he’s produced at a high level, including two consecutive 17.5 sack seasons.
The Saints would not be getting the edge rusher, a premium position in the league, on a discounted deal, especially considering that he already has voiced that he will not play in his current $21 million deal.
So, while yes, Hendrickson wants out of the Queen City and yes, the Saints made a big mistake letting him walk away, nostalgia and regret alone should not be enough to immediately worsen a situation that is on the brink of vast improvement.
