The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a pivotal decision with one of their top defensive players, and the clock is ticking. Trey Hendrickson, the team’s Pro Bowl pass-rusher, is set to hit free agency when the new league year opens on March 11. But the Bengals still have a card to play - the franchise tag - and they’re reportedly weighing whether or not to use it.
Now, there's a big difference between “considering” and “strongly considering” when it comes to using the tag, and according to NFL insider Albert Breer, it doesn’t sound like the Bengals are leaning too hard toward keeping Hendrickson in stripes next season.
“I’d be pretty surprised if Hendrickson ended up back in Cincinnati next year,” Breer said recently. That’s a bold statement, but it’s not without merit.
The Bengals handed Hendrickson a hefty raise last season - bumping his salary up to $29 million - and in return, they only got seven games out of him. Injuries played a major role, but there were also whispers about how much effort he put into returning to the field.
That stands in stark contrast to the all-out push from quarterback Joe Burrow, who fought to come back from a toe injury even when the team was sitting at 3-8.
Hendrickson ultimately underwent core surgery in December, ending a frustrating season for both him and the team. Burrow, meanwhile, returned to action late in the year, though the Bengals finished a disappointing 6-11.
Still, the Bengals aren’t out of options. They can place the franchise tag on Hendrickson anytime between February 17 and March 3. And while that might not mean they’re planning to keep him long-term, it could open the door for a tag-and-trade scenario.
Here’s how that could work: the Bengals tag Hendrickson, then notify his agent, Harold Lewis, that they intend to explore trade possibilities. Once that’s communicated, Cincinnati can begin negotiating with other teams on compensation.
A third- or fourth-round pick in this year’s draft could be a realistic return, depending on market interest. If a deal is struck, the Bengals can then allow Lewis to negotiate an extension with the acquiring team.
It’s a strategic move - one that allows the Bengals to retain some control over Hendrickson’s departure and potentially recoup valuable draft capital in the process.
And there could be suitors. While teams like the Cowboys and Patriots have been linked to another big-name edge rusher in Maxx Crosby, it’s not hard to imagine them pivoting to Hendrickson if Crosby stays put.
The Rams, in particular, are an intriguing possibility. With Matthew Stafford returning and Los Angeles going “all-in” for another Super Bowl run, adding a veteran pass-rusher like Hendrickson could be exactly the kind of move that fortifies their defense for a deep playoff push.
For now, the Bengals are playing it close to the vest. But with the tag window opening soon, we’ll know soon enough whether Hendrickson’s days in Cincinnati are truly numbered - or if the front office has one more play up its sleeve.