Trey Hendrickson, Franchise Tags, and the Bengals’ High-Stakes Decision
Let’s start with this: Trey Hendrickson is still one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the NFL. That can be true at the same time as this - he’s also a 31-year-old coming off an injury-plagued season, heading into a contract year with a franchise that’s got some tough financial decisions to make.
The Bengals know what they’ve got in Hendrickson. Over the past two seasons, he’s been their most consistent defensive force.
Even in a banged-up 2025 campaign, he remained a problem for opposing offensive lines. And when healthy?
He’s been elite - back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 don’t happen by accident. Teams game-planned around him.
They sent chips, double-teams, extra attention. He still produced.
Now, the Bengals are staring down a familiar question: Do they commit long-term to a veteran pass rusher who’s approaching his mid-30s, or do they play it safe - and expensive - with the franchise tag?
The Price of Elite Production
Tagging Hendrickson last year cost the Bengals $29 million. Doing it again in 2026 would bump that number up to $34.8 million. That’s a hefty check, but in today’s market for top-tier edge rushers, it’s still a justifiable move - especially with Joseph Ossai headed for free agency and no clear successor waiting in the wings.
This is the business side of football at work. From a purely roster-management standpoint, the Bengals are making the calculated move: maximize value year-to-year without overcommitting to a player whose best seasons may be behind him. But that doesn’t mean it’s an easy call - or one without risk.
Hendrickson’s injury concerns are real. He played through a sports hernia in 2025, and his snap count dropped significantly in the games he did suit up for.
He finished with just four sacks, but context matters. Among edge rushers with 100+ pass-rush snaps, only four had a higher win rate.
That’s efficiency. That’s disruption.
Even in limited action, Hendrickson was still creating pressure.
The T.J. Watt Cautionary Tale
If you’re looking for a cautionary tale, just glance over at Pittsburgh. The Steelers gave T.J.
Watt a three-year, $123 million extension before the 2025 season. Now, they’re on the hook for a $42 million cap hit in 2026 - and Watt is coming off a seven-sack season.
Over the two years before that extension? Watt had 30.5 sacks.
Hendrickson had 35.
That’s the risk you run with long-term deals for aging stars. If production dips - or injuries pile up - you’re left trying to restructure, trade, or eat dead money. The Steelers are feeling that squeeze right now.
The Bengals, by contrast, have kept their flexibility. Tagging Hendrickson again gives them one more year of elite pass-rushing potential without tying up future cap space.
If he delivers 10-15 sacks, they look like front-office geniuses. But if injuries linger and the production isn’t there?
That’s nearly $35 million down the drain.
What About Hendrickson?
Here’s where the human element comes in. Hendrickson has more than earned a long-term deal.
He’s been the Bengals’ most consistent defensive playmaker for three years running. He’s fought through injuries, taken on double teams, and still produced at an elite level.
Players notice when a team takes care of its stars - and when it doesn’t.
Spotrac projects Hendrickson could land a two-year deal worth just under $51 million on the open market. That’s solid money, but it comes with caveats: he’ll be 32 in December, and the sports hernia may require surgery. Teams might hesitate to commit that kind of cash to a player who’ll be pushing 34 when the deal ends.
So ironically, the franchise tag - as frustrating as it might be for the player - could actually be Hendrickson’s best option. One more healthy, high-impact season and he could hit free agency in 2027 with leverage and a fresh résumé.
The Tag-and-Trade Option
There’s another path here, too: tag-and-trade.
It’s unlikely the Bengals could command a first- or even second-round pick for a 32-year-old pass rusher coming off an injury. But a third-rounder?
Maybe. A Day 3 pick?
Possibly. For a team that doesn’t love its draft options at edge rusher and wants a proven commodity, Hendrickson could be worth the investment.
Of course, the Bengals haven’t exactly built a reputation for turning extra draft capital into impact players. But if they could flip Hendrickson for a pick and land a cheaper, younger pass rusher on a rookie deal? That’s the kind of cap-smart move that could pay off - if they get it right.
So Where Do the Bengals Go From Here?
This is the crossroads. Do they tag Hendrickson and squeeze one more year out of him, hoping he can stay healthy and produce like the All-Pro he’s been?
Do they tag him with the intention of flipping him for draft capital? Or do they let him walk and hope they can fill the void through free agency or the draft?
There’s no obvious answer. Just a series of calculated risks.
But what’s clear is this: Hendrickson has delivered for Cincinnati. And whatever decision the front office makes will say a lot about how they value veteran production, cap flexibility, and the message they send to their locker room.
Quick Super Bowl Thoughts
Let’s be honest - this year’s Super Bowl didn’t exactly light the world on fire. After a run of three straight classics, the last two have felt more like your average Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup than the biggest game of the year.
Still, a few things stood out:
- Bad Bunny’s halftime set: Even if you couldn’t understand the lyrics, the vibe was undeniable. The NFL knows what it’s doing here.
Mexico and Brazil are two of its biggest international markets. This was a business move - and a smart one.
- Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champ: Yep, that Sam Darnold. Drafted No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018.
Now he’s got a ring. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are still chasing their first Lombardi.
And the Seahawks? They’ve got two - both with quarterbacks you’d probably take Burrow over every day of the week.
Sometimes, football just isn’t fair.
- Still happy the Seahawks beat the Patriots: Some things never change.
So what did you think of the Super Bowl? And more importantly - what should the Bengals do with Hendrickson?
Welcome to the offseason. Legal tampering is just around the corner. Buckle up.