An up-and-coming AFC team has reportedly emerged as a candidate to trade for star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is allegedly done in Cincinnati.

The Bengals reportedly seek a first-round pick and a young defensive player as trade compensation for Trey Hendrickson. The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his contract.

Hendrickson, who’s been named to four straight Pro Bowls, has recorded 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons. The Bengals’ status as a prime Super Bowl contender makes the contract dispute all the more frustrating for fans, but such is life under owner Mike Brown.

According to a report from Las Vegas Raiders reporter Hondo Carpenter of Sports Illustrated, the AFC West club has emerged as one of the favorites to land the All-Pro defensive end:

“In a conversation with an NFL executive on Tuesday, I was informed, ‘I have no doubt the Raiders are the frontrunners. Tom Brady and Mark Davis want to win now, and John (Spytek) has no fear when it comes to making bold moves. The kid (Hendrickson is 30), that move is the mentality of Pete Carroll; he’s not afraid of anything that could improve the team.’

When I inquired about the potential cost of acquiring Hendrickson, the executive said, ‘From what I hear, the Bengals are seeking either multiple picks or a combination of a pick and a player. They aren’t particularly focused on one side of the ball, but their offense is exceptional, while their defense is (excrement). I would speculate that a player and a third-round pick would be sufficient to land him.’

The Raiders hired future Hall of Fame head coach Pete Carroll to oversee the operation. Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith and prized Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty head the list of newcomers, but we’ll see if they can make a bold move for Trey Hendrickson as well.

The Raiders have been mired in mediocrity for two decades, having last won a postseason game in 2002. New minority owner Tom Brady did a masterful job in his first offseason by bringing in Carroll, GM John Spytek, Smith and Jeanty, but the Raiders need more game-changers if they’re to contend in the difficult AFC West.

Las Vegas already owns one of the league’s elite edge rushers in Maxx Crosby. 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson hasn’t panned out, and 2024 free agent bust Christian Wilkins didn’t fulfill the role as Crosby’s pass rushing sidekick.

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If Las Vegas could somehow land Trey Hendrickson, that would give them two of the league’s top five edge rushers. Hendrickson and Crosby alone would give Vegas a championship-caliber defense and elevate them to title contention.