Bold headline: The Bengals let Trey Hendrickson go without using the franchise tag, opening the door for him to sign elsewhere once free agency starts.
Trey Hendrickson, the standout edge rusher who has been a staple of Cincinnati’s defense, will enter free agency as a potential new piece for other teams because the Bengals did not place the franchise tag on him before the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
Hendrickson publicly thanked the organization, coaches, and fans in a farewell message after the deadline passed, expressing pride in wearing the Bengals’ logo and honoring the team’s history. He noted the highs and lows of his five years in Cincinnati, including personal milestones and challenging moments.
Previously, there had been some discussion about tagging Hendrickson to possibly create draft capital via a trade. However, Bengals officials indicated at the NFL scouting combine that trading a tagged player is far from straightforward and depends on finding a willing partner and cooperation from the player. If the franchise tag had been slapped on Hendrickson and he signed before the tag was rescinded, Cincinnati would have faced a $30.2 million cap hit for next season.
Trading Hendrickson proved complex for the Bengals. In the prior offseason, Cincinnati gave Hendrickson room to explore a potential trade as he approached the end of his contract, fresh off an All-Pro season in which he led the league with 17.5 sacks. No deal ever materialized, and Hendrickson initially skipped offseason workouts and started training camp in a holdout. The stalemate ended with the team increasing his salary to $29 million, but that decision left Cincinnati with a $6.5 million dead-money charge on the cap from the previous year.
An injury then sidelined Hendrickson, limiting him to seven games and landing him on injured reserve in December after he aggravated a core muscle issue.
The decision not to use the franchise tag marks a significant moment in Hendrickson’s tenure, which began with a four-year, $60 million contract in 2021. Over his time with the Bengals, he developed into one of the league’s most productive edge players, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of his first four seasons with Cincinnati. ESPN Research notes that since 2021, he ranks second in the NFL in pressure rate (13.2%), fourth in total sacks (61), and fourth in sacks that lead to fumbles (11).
Looking back at last season, Cincinnati finished 6-11 after a midseason downturn worsened by an injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow. At the combine, Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, explained why the team didn’t pursue a trade before the deadline: opportunities for trades aren’t always available, and many factors come into play—health, age, contract, and current production. His takeaway: if a trade could keep the team in contention during a season, the Bengals preferred to pursue it, but the stars didn’t align this time.
Bottom line: Hendrickson’s departure closes a notable chapter for Cincinnati. His impact on the defense was substantial, and his absence will be felt as the Bengals navigate another round of roster decisions in the coming free-agency period.
Thought-provoking questions for readers: Do you think the Bengals should have pursued a different approach to Hendrickson, perhaps tagging him or trading him at a later date? What factors should teams weigh most when deciding to trade a top-edge rusher mid-contract, and how should a franchise balance short-term needs with long-term cap health? Share your views in the comments.”}
