The contract drama in Cincinnati is still ongoing with star Cincinnati Bengals defender Trey Hendrickson. The Carolina Panthers have a massive pass rush void that they desperately need to fill. Having an accomplished veteran fix that problem for the young Panthers is a bonus.
If Carolina can’t make a deal with the Bengals and pay Trey enough money that he would be okay with, there is a player that I believe would fit in well, who is coming off a bad season that the Panthers could use to their advantage in 2025.
The problem with Carolina trading for Hendrickson is that it would involve them overpaying for someone that they will only have for a few years, but a few years may be what they need. There’s no question that Hendrickson’s production hasn't been incredible over the last two seasons, and that he doesn’t rightfully deserve a payday.
But if the Bengals and the Panthers can come to an agreement, and David Tepper can make the money work, this is the absolute best option. A few years would be all you need. Even if he gave the team 14 sacks this season, it’s still better than what Jadeveon Clowney gave them.
Trading for Trey would do a couple of things for the team. First, it would make the defense formidable in a division where many had them third when Derek Carr retired. It would immediately put Carolina past the Atlanta Falcons.
Then, second, it would take away from a division leader who is looking for their last piece of the map to win another Super Bowl in Tampa Bay. But if the Panthers don’t want to spend money there is a player that should help the team fill its need of a veteran pass rusher.
Enter Matthew Judon for the Carolina Panthers
Matthew Judon didn’t have the best year last year. To be exact, he had as many sacks as Jadeveon Clowney did for the Panthers: 5.5.
Why would the Panthers want a player like Judon, who most would believe is no better than Clowney, whom they released?
Because he’s better than Clowney.
Put Judon on a prove-it deal with a young Nic Scourton on the other side and a vendetta against the NFC South, particularly with Atlanta, for making him look bad after having good years in New England.
For the right price, Judon could be a very nice addition to a team looking for a pass rusher and a veteran wanting to show the NFL he can still get after it.