GS. $60M TITANS’ WAR: Cowboys, 49ers in Fierce War for 17.5-Sack Star’s 21-Pressure Dominance

With the NFL trade deadline set for early November 2025, teams like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers are staring down defensive crises that could derail their seasons. The Cowboys’ shocking preseason trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers has left their pass rush in tatters, ranking 29th in points allowed and a dismal 10th in sacks through five games. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ 4-1 start has been overshadowed by Nick Bosa’s season-ending torn ACL suffered in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. Enter Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler whose elite production and impending free agency in 2026 make him a prime candidate to hit the block. As reported by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, both Dallas and San Francisco could emerge as suitors if the Bengals—grappling with Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury and a middling record—decide to sell. This deep dive explores Hendrickson’s fit, the trade landscape, and why this move could salvage both contenders’ defenses.

The Bengals’ Dilemma: A Sinking Ship and Hendrickson’s Value

The Cincinnati Bengals entered 2025 with Super Bowl aspirations, but reality has struck hard. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars required surgery and has sidelined him until at least mid-December, per reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and USA Today. With backup Jake Browning struggling over the first three games, Cincinnati traded for veteran Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, but Flacco’s underwhelming play in 2025 has only compounded the woes. The Bengals sit below .500, their playoff hopes fading faster than Burrow’s timeline for return.

This turmoil has reignited trade buzz around Trey Hendrickson. The 30-year-old edge rusher, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, publicly requested a trade during the offseason amid a contract dispute. While the Bengals reworked his deal to include a $14 million raise for 2025—bringing his salary to $30 million—they didn’t extend him beyond the year, leaving him poised for unrestricted free agency in 2026. Hendrickson has been vocal about not playing out the final year without long-term security, and with Cincinnati’s 2-3 record (as of early October), they’re now listening to offers, per NFL.com’s Nick Shook.

Hendrickson’s 2025 start has been scorching: four sacks and 21 pressures through five games, building on his league-leading 34 sacks from 2023-2024. As a proven disruptor with 67.5 career sacks, he’s the kind of rental the Bengals could flip for assets—a 2026 first-round pick and a young defender, as Russini noted in August—before he walks for nothing. If Flacco falters further and the Bengals slip further in the AFC North, expect Hendrickson to be shopped aggressively.

Dallas Cowboys: Filling the Parsons Void

The Cowboys’ decision to trade Micah Parsons—a move that shocked the league and netted them draft capital but gutted their front seven—has been catastrophic. Dallas’ defense, once a top-10 unit, now ranks 29th in points allowed per game (28.4) and dead last in passing yards surrendered (289.8 per game), per FOX Sports’ Week 5 rankings. They’ve mustered just 10 sacks, with DeMarcus Lawrence and rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku leading a group that’s been exposed weekly. ESPN’s Ben Solak highlighted how the pass rush win rate sits at a woeful 30.4% (27th in the NFL), turning secondary stars like Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland into sitting ducks.

Hendrickson would be a seamless plug-and-play solution. His power-rushing style and quick first step would complement Lawrence, restoring the pressure that Parsons’ departure erased. With extra cap space freed up from Parsons’ $30 million-plus annual hit, Dallas could extend Hendrickson long-term, locking him in as the cornerstone of a rebuilt line. At 2-3 and clinging to NFC East hopes, the Cowboys’ offense—still the NFL’s best at 406.6 yards per game—needs defensive help to contend. As Sportsnaut’s trade landing spots suggest, Dallas is a logical suitor, potentially offering a mid-first-rounder and a prospect like Ezeiruaku to sweeten the deal.

San Francisco 49ers: The More Desperate Buyer

The 49ers’ situation is even more dire. Nick Bosa’s torn ACL in Week 3 against the Cardinals—confirmed by head coach Kyle Shanahan and Rapoport—has robbed them of their best defender, who had two sacks and eight pressures before going down. San Francisco’s defense, already thin after offseason losses, now relies on Bryce Huff (11 pressures, two sacks) and rookie Mykel Williams to step up, but ESPN’s Nick Wagoner notes the blitz rate has spiked to 31.9% without Bosa, exposing vulnerabilities.

At 4-1, the Niners are all-in for a Super Bowl repeat push, and Hendrickson fits like a glove. His 6’4″, 270-pound frame mirrors Bosa’s, and his track record—leading the league in sacks over the past two years—would keep quarterbacks reeling. Pairing him with Leonard Floyd and Javon Hargrave could make San Francisco’s front four elite again. With cap flexibility and a history of aggressive deadline moves (like acquiring Chase Young in 2024), the 49ers are the frontrunners, per Knox’s analysis. They’d likely meet Cincinnati’s asking price with a first-rounder and a young piece like Williams, ensuring they weather Bosa’s absence through the playoffs.

Trade Feasibility and Broader Implications

Russini’s August report pegged the Bengals’ price at a 2026 first-rounder and a young defender, but with Hendrickson’s value as a pending free agent, they might settle for less if the season sours. Yahoo Sports’ trade targets list highlights how teams like Dallas and San Francisco—both needing immediate impact—could structure deals around mid-round picks and prospects, avoiding overpaying for a half-season rental.

For the Cowboys, Hendrickson represents redemption for the Parsons trade, potentially vaulting them back into wildcard contention. For the 49ers, he’s insurance against a defensive collapse, keeping their Lombardi dreams alive. Either way, his addition would reshape the trade market, forcing other contenders like the Eagles or Lions to pivot.

As the November deadline nears, Trey Hendrickson’s blend of proven production and attainable cost makes him the perfect tonic for the Cowboys’ and 49ers’ edge woes. Whether it’s Dallas rebuilding around a cap-friendly star or San Francisco fortifying their title run, Hendrickson could be the move that tips the scales. With Burrow’s injury clouding Cincinnati’s future, expect the Bengals to cash in—potentially sending shockwaves through the NFC. Cowboys and Niners fans, who’s pulling the trigger first? Drop your trade proposals below and let’s debate!