The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up a tough 2025 campaign with a 6-11 record, a season largely derailed by Joe Burrow’s early injury. With the franchise quarterback sidelined, the Bengals never found their rhythm, and the season quickly turned into a long, uphill grind. Now, with the offseason underway, the focus shifts to roster decisions-particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
While head coach Zac Taylor isn’t going anywhere, the Bengals are expected to shake things up on defense. And the biggest domino?
Trey Hendrickson. The veteran edge rusher is set to hit free agency, and Cincinnati faces a tough call: pay up to keep one of their most productive pass rushers, or take a different route.
That different route could include re-signing Joseph Ossai, a younger, ascending edge rusher who just wrapped up his fifth season with the team. Ossai played the 2025 season on a one-year “prove-it” deal-and he delivered.
At just 25 years old, he posted five sacks, 21 tackles, and forced two fumbles. Those aren’t league-leading numbers, but they’re the kind of solid production that suggests there’s more in the tank.
The Bengals have to weigh the short-term impact of keeping Hendrickson against the long-term upside of investing in Ossai. Hendrickson, 30, has been a reliable force off the edge, but he’s likely to command a hefty contract. Ossai, on the other hand, would come at a more manageable price-and he’s still entering his prime.
This isn’t just about cap space. It’s about timing and trajectory.
Ossai has now stacked back-to-back strong seasons and looks like a player ready to take the next step. He may not have Hendrickson’s resume, but he brings youth, upside, and familiarity with the system-all things that matter when you’re trying to build a sustainable defense.
There’s also the bigger picture to consider. The Bengals have some promising young linemen on the roster, and doubling down on youth could be the smarter long-term play. Re-signing Ossai would give them a cost-effective piece to build around, while freeing up resources to address other needs across the roster.
This isn’t an easy decision. Hendrickson has been a leader and a difference-maker.
But in the NFL, tough choices are the norm. And for a Bengals team looking to reset after a disappointing season, keeping a rising talent like Ossai might be the kind of forward-thinking move that pays off-not just in 2026, but for years to come.