Head coach Zac Taylor said last week that the franchise's decision to draft defensive end Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 pick of the 2025 NFL draft had nothing to do with Hendrickson, and that he doesn't "think you can ever have enough defensive linemen, especially in this league and this division."

As we stressed constantly, the Cincinnati Bengals weren't going to trade star defensive end Trey Hendrickson during the NFL draft. Before the process, one insider speculated the Bengals could trade Hendrickson if they took Shemar Stewart in the first round.

However, The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini reports that drafting edge rusher Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick will have no short-term impact on Hendrickson’s future with the team. In fact, the Bengals are reportedly still trying to get an extension done with their four-time Pro Bowl defender.