Bears Trade Proposal: Chicago Swaps Jaquan Brisker & Young DE for All-Pro Edge Trey Hendrickson

The Chicago Bears have been aggressive in reshaping their roster over the past two seasons, and one new trade proposal suggests they could make yet another bold move. With the Cincinnati Bengals facing a contract standoff with All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, speculation has grown that the veteran pass rusher could be on the move. For a Bears team hungry for defensive dominance, Hendrickson could be the missing piece.

Trey Hendrickson’s Standoff with the Bengals

Hendrickson has been one of the NFL’s most consistent and feared edge rushers over the past few years. Coming off back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons, his production speaks for itself. However, despite his elite numbers, the Bengals and Hendrickson remain at odds over guaranteed money. That ongoing standoff has cracked open the door for trade possibilities, and several teams around the league are surely keeping a close eye on developments.

For the Bears, the timing could not be more interesting. With Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo projected as the starting defensive ends this season, Chicago already has talent at the edge position. Yet, adding Hendrickson would elevate the unit to an entirely new level, giving new head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a true game-wrecking presence.

The Trade Proposal

Bears Wire’s Vincent Parise recently floated a hypothetical trade package that could bring Hendrickson to the Windy City. His idea? The Bears would send safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive end Austin Booker, and a second-round pick to Cincinnati in exchange for the reigning sack leader.

At first glance, that is a steep price to pay, especially considering Brisker is one of the Bears’ most promising young defenders. However, Parise pointed out that the Bengals are not looking to simply stockpile draft picks; they want impactful defensive players in return for Hendrickson. Brisker, who has quickly become a fan favorite and a versatile playmaker, would certainly fit that description.

Booker, meanwhile, is a developmental edge rusher who has shown flashes of potential but remains unproven. Including him in the deal, along with a valuable second-round pick, could make this package appealing enough for Cincinnati to strongly consider.

Why It Makes Sense for the Bears

From Chicago’s perspective, the trade comes down to one key factor: maximizing their defensive ceiling while Justin Fields—or potentially his successor—develops under center. The Bears have built a solid defensive core, but they still lack a consistently dominant pass rush outside of Montez Sweat.

Hendrickson would immediately solve that problem. Pairing him with Sweat would give Chicago one of the league’s most dangerous edge duos, capable of wrecking game plans on any given Sunday. In the NFC North, where the Bears must contend with Jared Goff’s Lions, Jordan Love’s Packers, and a Vikings offense in transition, having two elite pass rushers could tilt the balance of power.

The Cost of Losing Brisker

The difficult part of this proposal is losing Jaquan Brisker. Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Brisker has quickly established himself as a tone-setter in the Bears’ secondary. His instincts, tackling ability, and physical style of play make him a valuable asset for a defense that thrives on toughness.

Moving on from him would leave a noticeable hole in Chicago’s defensive backfield, even if it strengthens the pass rush. Still, the Bears may reason that strong edge play helps the secondary more than the other way around, as quarterbacks under duress are far more likely to make mistakes.

Final Thoughts

While this is only a hypothetical trade scenario, it highlights an intriguing possibility for both teams. The Bengals could acquire young talent and draft capital while avoiding an extended financial dispute. The Bears, meanwhile, would acquire a proven All-Pro pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat, creating one of the most feared defensive fronts in the NFL.

Ultimately, the decision would come down to whether Chicago values Brisker’s future contributions more than Hendrickson’s immediate impact. If the Bears are serious about making a playoff push in 2024 and beyond, a move like this might just be the bold swing they need.