The Kansas City Chiefs are far from having issues on the defensive line, but after both Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi left in free agency, it perhaps is not the stalwart unit that it previously used to be over the past few seasons.
Whilst the franchise drafted Omarr Norman Lott to replace Wharton and Nnadi, there are still question marks looking onto the exterior of the line.
George Karlaftis is an excellent edge rusher, and Mike Danna is certainly solid. But as a tandem it does not rank as one of the more terrifying duos in the league.
Particularly since former first round pick in 2023, Felix Anudike Uzomah has done little to justify his status as the 32nd overall pick two seasons ago, garnering just 2.5 sacks despite playing in 34 games.
So, unless Kansas City has a supremely confident coaching staff, they could well consider a move for All-Pro edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, who has widely been touted as a trade candidate this offseason as he continues negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hendrickson Could Be A Perfect Fit In Kansas City
Trey Hendrickson’s contract issue came to ahead earlier this offseason when both parties agreed they would attempt to mutually seek a trade for the 4 x Pro Bowler.
In fact, this – almost comically – is the second time in back-to-back seasons that Hendrickson has asked to be traded from Cincinnati.
Bengals three-time Pro-Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson has requested to be traded from Cincinnati, per league source. Hendrickson is due to make $15 million this season, and is looking for more long-term security than Cincinnati has been willing to offer. pic.twitter.com/PDNKTEiKII
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2024
Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025
Hendrickson Looking For A Way Out Of Cincinnati And Onto Another Contender?
It seemed that, per Hendrickson’s statement, the Bengals renegaded on their deal to give him a pay bump if he continued to perform at his impressive level, which saw him accumulate 35 sacks in 2 seasons, the most in the NFL over that time frame.
Landing with the Chiefs would give Hendrickson the ability to stay with a team who regularly looks to compete for championships – with the upside of them having accomplished said feat multiple times over the past half-decade +.
And for KC, Hendrickson gives them one of the absolute elite edge rushers who still could have numerous years of quality production left.
Financially, the Chiefs would almost certainly have to sign him to a long-term extension, which given their current cap situation in 2026 and beyond would initially seem difficult. However, considering that the team will likely cut right tackle, Jawaan Taylor, at the end of this season, they will gain another $20 million in cap space to work with – all of which could go to the current Bengal.
It is certainly not a clear, easy-as-pie move in any regard, but given what the Chiefs saw the Eagles accomplish on the defensive line first hand in February, Kansas City may well feel that it is worth the investment.
