Bolstering their defensive line will be one of the Philadelphia Eagles' top goals in free agency next month. As solid as the unit has been under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, reinforcements are always needed, especially if certain names can help launch the Eagles back into the Super Bowl conversation next season.
Getting more juice along the pass rush will be a top priority, but the Eagles need to stay away from free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson. He isn't the player Philadelphia needs to chase, especially the money he'll seek to land on the open market.
Eagles Can't Target Trey Hendrickson Next Month
After being in a contract battle with the Cincinnati Bengals for years, Hendrickson is finally hitting the open market, but he will look to cash in. Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler and First-team All-Pro (2024). He was able to get after the quarterback with the Bengals, ranking fourth in the NFL in sacks (61) since the 2021 campaign.
There's no question he's been able to consistently get after the quarterback, but he'll be an expensive addition. Spotrac projects him to receive a two-year, $50 million deal, carrying a massive $25 million annual cap hit.
Hendrickson is projected to get the biggest deal on the open market for edge rushers, but there's reason for skepticism. He was limited to just seven games in 2025 and underwent season-ending core muscle surgery in December. Typically, a player's health doesn't improve when they age.
Meanwhile, Hendrickson hasn't been a good run defender throughout his career, compared to a guy like Jaelan Phillips, who was acquired by Philadelphia last October via trade from the Miami Dolphins. Pro Football Focus helps illustrate that:
Year | Trey Hendrickson PFF Run Defense Grade | Jaelan Phillips PFF Run Defense Grades |
|---|---|---|
2021 | 44.8 (107th among 117 graded edge defenders) | 44.8 (107th among 117 graded edge defenders) |
2022 | 58.9 (78th among 118 graded edge defenders) | 75.1 (18th among 118 graded edge defenders) |
2023 | 51.0 (97th among 114 graded edge defenders) | 77.7 (16th among 114 graded edge defenders) |
2024 | 65.9 (47th among 121 graded edge defenders) | 67.5 (N/A) |
2025 | 56.8 (90th among 115 graded edge defenders) | 59.4 (75th among 115 graded edge defenders) |
Being a reliable run-defender isn't in Hendrickson's calling card and isn't an area Philadelphia would be able to lean on if they added him to the fold. Meanwhile, Phillips is turning 27 years old in May and is entering his prime.
That's without mentioning that Spotrac predicts that Phillips will land a three-year, $52 million ($17.3 annual average salary) on the open market. Considering that he's five years younger than Hendrickson, a better run defender, and is cheaper, he seems like the better choice. And the Eagles just traded a third-round pick in exchange for the former Miami standout, so there's no hiding that they like what he brings to the table.
If they want to head in a different direction outside of Phillips, Kwity Paye ($17.8 AAV), Boye Mafe ($12.2 AAV), and Odafe Oweh ($19.3 AAV) are all projected to get deals less than Hendrickson, so for an Eagles team that needs every dollar they can get, there are other options they should consider.
We know general manager Howie Roseman isn't afraid to take a big swing to improve the roster, but this is one he should avoid. There are younger and cheaper options available, and Philadelphia would be wise to go down that route instead.