Jerry Jones has been steadfast in his public stance: trading Micah Parsons was the right move for the Dallas Cowboys. But actions speak louder than words. As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Cowboys’ front office is actively scouring the league for the very thing they gave away: a game-wrecking pass rusher. According to a new report, their top target is Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson, setting up a high-stakes waiting game that could define the Cowboys’ season.
The Report: Dallas Eyes the Reigning Sack King
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that the Cowboys “have looked into Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.” This confirms that Dallas, despite public proclamations, knows their defense has a glaring hole opposite DeMarcus Lawrence.
The Cowboys are uniquely positioned to make a splash. The Parsons trade to Green Bay armed them with valuable assets, including two first-round picks in 2026 and seven total selections. They have the draft capital to be major players before the November 4th deadline.
The Bengals’ Stance: A Firm “Not For Sale” (For Now)
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
The significant hurdle is that the Cincinnati Bengals “don’t plan to deal” Hendrickson. Despite a 3-4 record and the loss of quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals believe they are still in the playoff hunt, especially after veteran Joe Flacco’s 342-yard, 3-touchdown performance in a win over Pittsburgh.
With upcoming games against the winless New York Jets (0-7) and the Chicago Bears (4-2), Cincinnati’s front office is holding firm. If they can emerge from that stretch at 5-4 or even 4-5, their stance on keeping their best pass rusher is unlikely to change.
The Tipping Point: When Could Hendrickson Become Available?
The calculus for Cincinnati could shift dramatically over the next two weeks. Key factors that could force the Bengals to sell include:
A Losing Skid: If the Bengals lose their next two games and fall to 3-6 heading into their bye week, their playoff hopes would be on life support.
An Expiring Contract: Hendrickson is on a $29 million deal that expires in March 2026, meaning he could walk in free agency with the Bengals getting nothing in return.
If Cincinnati’s season unravels, trading Hendrickson to a team like Dallas for a package of high draft picks would become a logical move to secure their future.
The Dallas Cowboys are in a holding pattern, their ambitions to fix their pass rush hinging on the success—or failure—of the Cincinnati Bengals over the next two weeks. Jerry Jones may say he doesn’t regret the Parsons trade, but the pursuit of Trey Hendrickson tells a different story. It reveals a team aware of its own deficiency and armed with the resources to correct it. The coming days will test the Bengals’ resolve and the Cowboys’ patience. If the dominoes fall the right way, Dallas could be poised to make a blockbuster deal that fundamentally alters their defense and silences the critics—at least for now.