The Cincinnati Bengals are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the pressure is on. With Joe Burrow making it clear that the window for contention won’t stay open forever, the urgency in Cincinnati is real-and it starts on the defensive side of the ball.
One of the biggest questions looming? The future of All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. He’s been a cornerstone of the Bengals’ pass rush since arriving in 2021, but as the franchise maps out its next steps, it looks like Hendrickson’s time in stripes may be coming to an end.
According to reports, while the Bengals technically retained the right to use the franchise tag on Hendrickson after last offseason’s contract negotiations, they’re unlikely to go that route. The reason is pretty straightforward: the price tag for tagging a veteran pass rusher of Hendrickson’s caliber is steep, and Cincinnati has multiple holes to patch on defense. Allocating that much cap space to one player-especially one coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign-just doesn’t align with the team’s broader roster-building strategy.
So what does that mean? Barring a surprise, Hendrickson is expected to hit the open market. And while that’s a tough pill to swallow for Bengals fans who’ve watched him rack up sacks and wreak havoc off the edge, it’s a move that could still pay off in the long run.
If Hendrickson lands the kind of deal many around the league expect-potentially north of $20 million per year-the Bengals stand to recoup a solid compensatory draft pick in 2027, likely in the fourth-round range. It’s not a one-for-one replacement, but it’s a strategic way to recoup value without committing big money to a player entering his age-32 season.
Now, could the Bengals consider tagging and trading Hendrickson? Sure, but the return likely wouldn’t be significantly better than the comp pick.
Given his age and recent injury history, the trade market probably wouldn’t yield a premium return. That makes a clean break the most logical path forward.
Letting Hendrickson walk signals a clear shift in Cincinnati’s defensive identity. He’s been a tone-setter, a leader, and one of the more consistent pass rushers in the AFC. His departure will leave a void-not just in the box score, but in the locker room too.
But this is where the Bengals have to get it right. With Burrow at the helm and expectations sky-high, the front office needs to hit on its defensive retooling. Whether that comes through the draft, free agency, or a mix of both, the goal is clear: build a defense that can support a championship-caliber offense.
Trey Hendrickson’s chapter in Cincinnati may be closing, but the Bengals’ story is far from over. The next few months will be crucial in determining how the franchise writes its next one.