In every NFL offseason, there’s always that one defensive player who can flip a team’s Super Bowl odds the moment the ink dries. In 2026, that player is Trey Hendrickson.
A technician off the edge with a proven track record of double-digit sack seasons, Hendrickson isn’t just another pass rusher hitting the market-he’s a game-changer. And what makes his free agency even more intriguing is the combination of elite production and the calculated risk that comes with it.
For contenders looking to make one final move to solidify a championship-caliber defense, Hendrickson could be the missing piece.
To understand how we got here, you have to look at the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals-a team that entered the year with playoff expectations and exited it with more questions than answers. A 6-11 record capped off a third straight season without a postseason appearance, and it all unraveled early.
Joe Burrow went down in Week 2 with a turf toe injury that ended his season, and from there, the Bengals never found their footing. A 4-8 start mirrored the slow beginnings that have haunted them in recent years.
Burrow did make a dramatic Thanksgiving return, leading the Bengals to a blowout win over Baltimore. But by then, the damage was done.
The defense, once a strength, fell apart-ranking 30th in points allowed and near the bottom in several advanced metrics. Even Ja’Marr Chase leading the league in receptions couldn’t offset the defensive collapse.
The Bengals finished with their first losing season since 2020, setting the stage for a pivotal offseason full of roster decisions and cap management.
Hendrickson’s 2025 season mirrored the team’s struggles-flashes of dominance, interrupted by injury. In just seven games, he still managed four sacks, 16 tackles, and eight quarterback hits.
He made his presence felt early, especially with a standout performance against Detroit that included two sacks and a forced fumble. But a hip and pelvis injury in Week 6 derailed his season.
He tried to return, but the injury eventually shut him down for good. Still, his 90.0 PFF pass-rush grade speaks volumes.
When healthy, Hendrickson remains one of the most efficient and technically sound edge rushers in the league.
His contract situation all but guarantees he’s moving on from Cincinnati. After some tense negotiations, the two sides agreed to a restructured one-year, $29 million deal for 2025.
That voided any future team control, essentially setting the stage for his free agency. The Bengals will take on a manageable dead-cap hit, but the writing has been on the wall-this was always a bridge year.
Despite the injury-shortened campaign, Hendrickson’s market value is still sky-high. Teams haven’t forgotten his 17.5-sack season just a few years ago, and projections suggest he could command a two-year deal north of $50 million. For contenders needing a proven edge presence without a long-term commitment, Hendrickson checks every box.
So, where could he land? Let’s break down the top fits.
Indianapolis Colts
If you’re looking for a seamless transition, Indy makes a lot of sense.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo-who helped unlock Hendrickson’s best seasons in Cincinnati-now runs the Colts' defense. That familiarity matters.
Hendrickson wouldn’t need much ramp-up time; he already knows the system, the terminology, the pressure packages. It’s plug-and-play.
The Colts started 2025 on fire, racing out to a 7-1 record before injuries knocked their defense off balance. Now, with several edge rushers hitting free agency, there’s a clear need.
Bringing in Hendrickson would stabilize the front and give them a proven closer in key moments. He fits the scheme, the timeline, and the urgency.
Chicago Bears
The Bears took a big step forward last season under new head coach Ben Johnson, riding an explosive offense to a division title.
But their Achilles’ heel was a pass rush that couldn’t finish games. The interior showed promise, but the edge lacked a true alpha-someone who could win one-on-one and force offenses to adjust.
Enter Hendrickson. His hand technique, pass-rush sequencing, and ability to disrupt timing would immediately upgrade Chicago’s defensive identity.
The Bears also have the cap space to make a serious offer and the roster to make a deep playoff run. Add Hendrickson to that mix, and you’ve got a team that could go from playoff participant to legitimate Super Bowl threat.
Dallas Cowboys
This one’s a bit different.
Dallas is in the middle of an identity shift after trading away Micah Parsons. That move signaled a departure from their hybrid, chaos-driven defense toward a more traditional front.
The offense is still elite, but the defense needs a new tone-setter.
Hendrickson fits the Cowboys’ usual approach-big-name veterans with proven production. Jerry Jones has never shied away from swinging big, and Hendrickson could be the kind of addition that elevates Dallas back into serious contention.
Paired with their existing interior talent, he’d restore some of that pass-rush bite they lost with Parsons. It’s a move that makes sense on paper and aligns with the franchise’s win-now mentality.
San Francisco 49ers
For the Niners, it’s about urgency.
Injuries gutted their defensive line in 2025, and the result was one of the lowest sack totals in the league. Even with Nick Bosa expected back at full strength, the lack of a complementary edge rusher left offenses free to slide protection his way.
Hendrickson solves that problem. He’s the kind of pass rusher who wins in isolation, which means teams can’t just double Bosa and call it a day.
A short-term, high-value deal fits San Francisco’s cap situation and competitive window. In many ways, this would be a redemption arc-Hendrickson proving he’s still elite when healthy, and the 49ers restoring the pass rush that once defined their defense.
Trey Hendrickson hits the open market as a player with elite production in his past and some injury questions in his present. But here’s the thing-contenders don’t shop for perfection.
They shop for impact. And Hendrickson, when healthy, is as impactful as they come.
Indianapolis offers familiarity. Chicago offers a chance to elevate.
Dallas offers a spotlight. San Francisco offers urgency.
Each fit makes sense in its own way. But no matter where he lands, one thing’s clear: Hendrickson has the potential to reshape a defense-and maybe even tilt the playoff picture-just in time for January.