If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to make a splash in free agency, Trey Hendrickson might just be the tidal wave they need.
There’s growing buzz that the Cincinnati Bengals could let their top pass rusher hit the open market. Hendrickson, a two-time All-Pro and one of the league’s most productive edge defenders in recent years, may not be franchise-tagged - a move that would cost the Bengals north of $30 million. That’s a steep price, and according to multiple reports, the relationship between Hendrickson and Cincinnati may be nearing its end.
Even if the Bengals do tag him, a sign-and-trade remains on the table. And if that’s the case, several teams are expected to be in the mix - including the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay has a clear need on the edge. YaYa Diaby showed promise in 2025, leading the team with seven sacks, but the depth behind him was thin.
The Bucs brought in Haason Reddick last offseason hoping to bolster the pass rush, but that move didn’t pan out. Reddick had already been trending downward after a one-sack season with the Jets in 2024, and he didn’t reverse course in Tampa.
Hendrickson, on the other hand, is a different story. He was dominant in 2023 and 2024, posting 17.5 sacks in each of those seasons.
He finished second in the league in sacks in 2023, behind only T.J. Watt, and then topped the league in 2024, earning first-team All-Pro honors.
That’s elite production - the kind that can change a defense’s identity.
Yes, 2025 was a down year statistically, with Hendrickson finishing with just four sacks. But that drop-off was tied to injury - he missed nine games - not a decline in performance. When healthy, Hendrickson remains one of the most disruptive forces off the edge.
Cap space is a hurdle. Hendrickson’s market value is projected around $51 million over two years, and the Bucs are currently working with about $14.5 million in projected cap space for 2026.
That’s a tight squeeze, especially if the team has other priorities to address in free agency. But if Tampa Bay wants to make a serious investment in its pass rush, Hendrickson would be worth the financial gymnastics.
Other teams could be in the mix - the Cowboys and Colts were both mentioned as potential suitors - but each has its own complications. Dallas is strapped for cap space, sitting near the bottom of the league in flexibility. The Colts have room to spend, but with key offensive players like quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce hitting free agency, they may have to focus their resources on keeping their offense intact.
That could open the door for the Buccaneers to make a compelling pitch - especially when you factor in geography. Hendrickson grew up just outside Orlando. While he hasn’t publicly said he rooted for the Bucs as a kid, there’s always something to be said for playing closer to home.
At the end of the day, signing Hendrickson would be a bold move - and one that sends a message. The Bucs have a young, emerging defense, and adding a proven pass rusher with Hendrickson’s resume could elevate them to another level. The question is whether Tampa Bay is ready to make that kind of commitment - and whether Hendrickson sees Tampa as the right place to write the next chapter of his career.
Free agency doesn’t open until March 11, so there’s still time for the pieces to fall into place. But if the Bucs want to make a move that could reshape their defense for years to come, they might not find a better opportunity than this one.