Right now, it looks like the relationship between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals is hanging by a thread-if it’s not already snapped. Multiple reports suggest things have soured to the point of no return, with phrases like “run its course” and “bridges being set on fire” floating around. That’s not exactly the kind of language you use when a reconciliation is on the table.
But here’s the thing about the NFL: nothing’s ever truly final until it is. And when you look at the Bengals’ current situation, it’s hard to ignore how much Hendrickson still fits what they need-maybe even more now than ever.
Let’s start with the basics. Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler who once stacked back-to-back seasons with 17+ sacks.
That kind of production doesn’t just grow on trees. Even in what was considered a down year statistically-just four sacks-he still posted an elite 86.4 grade, ranking 12th in the PFSN EDGE Impact metrics.
That tells you two things: one, he’s still affecting games in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet, and two, he’s still very much a top-tier edge rusher in this league.
That’s exactly why projections are already sending him to teams like the Dallas Cowboys-franchises that are in win-now mode and need a proven pass rusher to push them over the top. And make no mistake, Hendrickson would be a huge addition to a team like that.
But let’s flip the lens back to Cincinnati. One of their biggest offseason needs?
An edge rusher to pair with their young talent-guys like Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy, both former first-round picks who are still developing. Hendrickson, even at 31 and coming off an injury, still profiles as the kind of veteran presence who could elevate that group and bring much-needed consistency off the edge.
Now, there are some logistical hurdles here. When the Bengals restructured Hendrickson’s deal before last season, it reportedly didn’t include a no-tag clause.
That means Cincinnati could hit him with the franchise tag, likely at a similar salary to what he earned last year. Is that the most cap-efficient move?
Probably not, especially for a team that has to be mindful of how it spreads its dollars. But it’s not out of the question.
And here’s where things get interesting. Hendrickson’s age and injury history could cool his market in free agency.
That might leave the door open for a return to Cincinnati-not because the relationship is perfect, but because it’s the most practical option for both sides. He gets a familiar system and a chance to re-establish his value; the Bengals get a proven edge rusher without breaking the bank.
Of course, if the relationship really is scorched-earth, then none of this matters. But when you step back and look at the situation from a football perspective, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Hendrickson still checks a lot of the boxes the Bengals are looking to fill.
So while the noise around a split is getting louder, don’t rule out a twist in the story just yet. In the NFL, logic and emotion rarely walk hand in hand-but sometimes, they find a way to meet in the middle.