The Cincinnati Bengals are about to begin a critical offseason, as they will try to improve their defense in order to break their three-year playoff drought in the 2026 season. At the forefront of their offseason decisions is what to do with All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is set to be a free agent in less than a week.
One popular option that had been floated around as a possibility for Hendrickson was the franchise tag. The Bengals could have utilized the franchise tag and then allowed him to seek a trade that would have guaranteed Cincinnati draft compensation. However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has reported that the Bengals have opted not to place the franchise tag on Hendrickson, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Trey Hendrickson’s Free Agency
Hendrickson was previously a free agent during the 2021 NFL offseason, after spending four years with the Saints. He was fresh off a career-best 13.5 sack season in New Orleans, which led to him signing a four-year, $60 million contract with the Bengals.
His career took off in Cincinnati as he made four consecutive Pro Bowls and surpassed his 13.5 sack figure from 2020 in three out of four seasons. During his tenure, he signed a contract extension which extended his contract through 2025. Despite the extension, Hendrickson tried to renegotiate a deal with Cincinnati, but an agreement was not reached and he was given permission to seek a trade prior to the 2025 season.
Ultimately, a trade partner was not found and Hendrickson and the Bengals agreed to a reworked deal that made his salary $30 million for the 2025 season. Unfortunately for the Bengals, Hendrickson was only able to play in seven games during the season as he was sidelined and underwent core muscle surgery.
Now, Hendrickson is projected to be one of the premier free agents available. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked him as the No. 1 available free agent. He wrote, “Hendrickson has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past five seasons. He has the third-most sacks in the league since 2020 with 74.5, and he played in only seven games last season due a core-muscle injury that required surgery. Hendrickson plays with a relentless, urgent motor that puts crushing pressure on a tackle’s outside shoulder. He turns the corner and finishes with a straight-line burst, always hunting for the ball. He has 15 career forced fumbles.”
Cincinnati Bengals Offseason
The relationship between the Bengals and Hendrickson had deteriorated over the years to the point where this news does not come as a surprise. Despite being in the top 10 in cap space, the expectation was that Hendrickson would not be a member of the Bengals in 2026.
Cincinnati will now be tasked with finding a replacement for their All-Pro pass rusher. Fortunately, they received some good news as the Chargers are unlikely to place the franchise tag on pass rusher Odafe Oweh, who has been previously linked to the Bengals.
ESPN writer Aaron Schatz projected the Bengals to go after pass rusher Odafe Oweh. Schatz wrote, “With Trey Hendrickson probably on his way out of Cincinnati, the Bengals need an edge rusher. And with the seventh-most cap space this offseason (per Roster Management System), they’re in position to rain money down on a player still in his prime.”
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