Trey Hendrickson’s extension talks with the Bengals have become a test of value in an evolving edge-rush market. Cincinnati let Hendrickson explore a trade to prove he wouldn’t fetch market-rate, but market moves since then have raised the stakes. Crosby’s $35.5M APY, Garrett’s $40M, and Watt’s $41M markers set a new floor for top-tier pass rushers. Hendrickson now faces a tricky choice: accept market value with Cincinnati, or test the market again and risk a season-long uncertainty. With the season looming, the decision could ripple through both the Bengals’ defense and fantasy projections for sack-heavy players in the AFC North and beyond.

For fantasy-minded followers, the saga matters because a Hendrickson departure or raise reshapes lineups and defensive rosters. If he stays at market value, his sack upside remains strong but crowded by higher salaries on the market; if he moves, teams with aggressive edge plans could boost their defenses while creating new targets and value adjustments around Cincinnati’s pass rush depth chart. Either outcome tightens the podium for fantasy edge players and shifts win-probability narratives around Cincinnati’s line of scrimmage.

Las Vegas reshapes its underperforming offense by adding Geno Smith, a quarterback with a proven deep ball, and drafting Ashton Jeanty to jump-start the ground game. Smith’s 83.1 PFF grade in 2024 and a 95.1% deep passing edge last season signal a high-upside pass attack, particularly with a favorable supporting cast after LV’s 4-13 finish. Jeanty’s elite rushing grade and Boise State resume sketch a breakout in LV’s backfield, potentially transforming the Raiders into a more balanced, fantasy-friendly unit. Crosby eyes a bounce-back year after an injury-shortened 2023, while LV’s defensive questions—especially in pass coverage—could shape game scripts and fantasy outcomes. The piece highlights a 7.3 win projection and a bold Jeanty 10+ rushing TD bet (+260), framing LV as a high-variance but intriguing fantasy target.

Geno Smith’s proven accuracy and deep-ball efficiency align with LV’s revamped aerial approach, and Ashton Jeanty’s high-end rushing grade suggests a dynamic upgrade at running back. Crosby’s return to health could stabilize LV’s edge pressure, even if pass defense remains a work in progress. The Raiders’ mix of upgrade-driven moves and coaching continuity presents both risk and upside for fantasy players, especially at tight end and backfield, where Jeanty’s late-draft heat could translate to meaningful touches and points.

Geno Smith’s move to the Las Vegas Raiders reunites him with Pete Carroll and instantly reshapes the quarterback narrative around Vegas. The reunion backdrop centers on a fan sign mocking Geno vs. JaMarcus Russell, which Geno didn’t love, and Carroll’s terse defense underlined by Crosby’s silent support from the edge. The exchange signals how both sides view Geno’s value after Seattle-style success and a stalled extension that propelled the trade.

In the Raiders’ preseason, Geno logged minimal action while Aidan O’Connell and Cam Miller took the meaningful reps, highlighting an ongoing evaluation of who’ll start when the games count. The storyline blends leadership, spiteful fan moments, and a fresh Los Angeles-to-Seattle cross-traffic dynamic that fantasy managers will monitor closely: Geno’s veteran presence vs. a developing Las Vegas QB room, and whether the offense can translate Geno’s experience into fantasy-friendly production while the rotation remains unsettled.

Geno Smith’s preseason showcase for the Las Vegas Raiders turned tense when he saluted Seattle Seahawks fans with a glare and a flip off a sign accusing him of busting, echoing a moment with his ex-teammate. Maxx Crosby followed suit, signaling a no-nonsense, back-street-brawler vibe in Vegas. The NFL likely will punish both in the wake of obscene gestures, a fate already met by Brian Branch of Detroit last season. The episode hints at a leadership dynamic in which the Smith-Crosby duo could anchor a Raiders’ season, even as contract riches from the offseason buy them time. A preseason incident, but also a potential chemistry spark, with captains-to-be Crosby and Smith hovering over a team buoyed by big-money extensions.