Cowboys named NFL trade deadline fit for Bengals star not named Trey Hendrickson

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  Health and Fitness on Wed, Oct 29th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

Why the Cowboys are focused on the defensive line

The Cowboys’ defensive line has been a point of concern this season. With the sudden retirement of linebacker Devin White and the injury to pass‑rusher Jamin Davis, head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Robbie Gould have both highlighted the need for a “speedy, disruptive” interior threat. “We’re looking for a player who can pressure the quarterback consistently and also hold the edge,” Gould told reporters after the Cowboys’ first three games of the 2024 season. This emphasis is underscored by the team’s recent use of a 2024 fifth‑round pick as a trade currency, signaling that the Cowboys are willing to part with future draft capital for immediate gains.

The Bengals connection

While the Cowboys had been considering free‑agency options, the article shifts to a potential trade with the Bengals. The Cowboys had been tracking Cincinnati’s roster moves, specifically their willingness to move the defensive tackle Jordan Lewis to address their needs. Lewis, a former safety who spent several seasons with the Vikings, had recently been signed by the Bengals but was reportedly a free‑agent in the offseason. The Cowboys’ evaluation of Lewis was that he could be a “late‑round steal” if the trade can be engineered.

The article cites a link to the Bengals’ roster page (https://www.si.com/nfl/teams/cincinnati-bengals/roster), which shows Lewis as a practice‑ squad player after his release by the Vikings. “The Bengals have a lot of depth at the secondary, so they’re likely to be open to trade offers,” the article notes. It also includes a reference to the Cowboys’ current defensive tackle rotation, featuring Jamal Foster, Cameron Sutton, and rookie Tylan Bixby, all of whom are expected to contribute significantly in the upcoming weeks.

Why Trey Hendrickson is ruled out

The headline’s phrase “not named Trey Hendrickson” is a nod to a rumor that the Cowboys had been eyeing the former Raiders defensive tackle. A link to the player profile (https://www.si.com/nfl/players/trey-hendrickson) gives a quick background: Hendrickson played six seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Raiders, and was signed to a one‑year deal in 2023. However, the article points out that his contract for 2024 is not guaranteed, and his recent performance has dipped—averaging just 4.5 tackles per game last season. “He’s on the fringe of the depth chart with the Raiders, and we’re not convinced it’s a good fit for Dallas at this point,” Gould is quoted saying in the article.

The article also links to the Cowboys’ current roster (https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/onsi/roster) which shows no open positions that would accommodate a player like Hendrickson without a costly draft pick. Thus, the team’s focus shifted to a player who can step into a more significant role immediately.

The trade scenario in numbers

The Cowboys reportedly have a 2024 fifth‑round pick (position 151 overall) that could be traded for a player like Lewis. The article details how the Cowboys might offer that pick plus a 2025 late‑round pick to the Bengals in exchange for Lewis. In return, the Cowboys would secure a player who can contribute both on the inside and the edge of the defensive line. The article also includes a link to the NFL trade deadline page (https://www.si.com/nfl/news/nfl-trade-deadline-2024-deadline-deals) that lists other teams’ trade activity, providing context that many franchises are looking to patch up injuries and gaps before the playoffs.

Looking ahead

While the Cowboys’ pursuit of a defensive tackle remains the headline, the article also points out that the team is open to other positions if trade or free‑agency offers materialize. “We’re staying flexible,” Gould reiterates. The article suggests that the Cowboys could also look at defensive ends or linebackers in the coming weeks—especially with the trade deadline still a few days away. The narrative is that the Cowboys are preparing for a potential playoff run and want to be as well‑rounded as possible by the time the 2024 NFL season concludes.

In sum, the article paints a picture of a Dallas Cowboys organization that has identified a need, ruled out certain players based on contract and performance concerns, and is actively pursuing a trade with the Bengals to fill that need—specifically targeting Jordan Lewis while explicitly moving past the idea of adding Trey Hendrickson to their roster.