Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson wants out of Cincinnati and has been given permission to talk to other clubs as he seeks a trade.

The 2024 NFL sack leader is talking openly about a farewell …

And according to one national insider, the Dallas Cowboys are talking about Hendrickson, too.

Hendrickson told ESPN he has mixed emotions about leaving Cincinnati amid this controversy as the notoriously frugal Bengals struggle to find a way to pay him maket, value, which now figures to be in the range of $30 million per year for a premium pass-rusher.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”

Is Dallas one of those options? From where we sit, the Cowboys – even with up to $100 million in available cap room – probably don’t have $30 million earmarked for a second pass-rusher, with the negotiations toward a record-setting contract extension for Micah Parsons on the front burner.

But just in case …

It seems national NFL insider Josina Anderson has checked in with somebody here inside The Star to take Dallas’ temperature on the idea.

Anderson’s nugget? “Sounds to me like the current amount Trey Hendrickson is seeking is beyond what the Dallas Cowboys would want to spend for a player of his level,” she writes, “based on what I’m hearing.”

Anderson gets a bit wordy here, but the message is sound. The response is clear.

Dallas’ isn’t in on Hendrickson.

But … the Cowboys have apparently at least discussed the idea in-house (and then with Anderson) before dismissing it.

Hendrickson has played four years with the Bengals. He has played in 110 games since coming into the NFL He has 77 career sacks to go with 151 tackles and 14 forced fumbles.

Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. This was the second consecutive season Hendrickson averaged more than a sack a game. He had 17.5 sacks in 2023 as well.

The Bengals’ problem: They are trying to find ways to pay wide receiver Tee Higgins (he’s now on the franchise tag) and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (he wants an extension) in addition to dealing with Hendrickson …

All of which means the four-time Pro Bowler Hendrickson might be walking out that door … while not walking into a door here at The Star.