CINCINNATI — The Bengals have chosen not to franchise tag defensive end Trey Hendrickson, meaning he’s now set to hit the free agent market next week. After the deadline, Hendrickson shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking the team, coaches, and fans for five memorable years.
He stated, “To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play at the highest level. The last five years have been filled with great wins and tough losses.” His pride in wearing the Bengals logo is clear.
Just a week ago, the Bengals had considered tagging Hendrickson to trade him for potential draft picks. But even Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin acknowledged the complexity of such moves. “All trades are difficult. You have to find a partner, and trades can be complicated.”
Had they tagged Hendrickson, it would have hit the salary cap for over $30 million—a steep cost. Last season, the team attempted to explore trade opportunities for Hendrickson as he was coming off an impressive All-Pro year, but a deal never materialized.
Hendrickson had a challenging season after starting with a holdout that led to a pay raise. Unfortunately, injuries limited his performance. He only played in seven games due to a core muscle injury, which kept him out for part of the season.
His journey with the Bengals started in 2021 when he signed a four-year, $60 million contract. Over time, he became known as one of the league’s top edge rushers, making the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. He ranks high in various defensive stats, placing second in pressure rate and fourth in both total sacks and sacks resulting in fumbles.
The Bengals ended the last season with a disappointing 6-11 record, partially due to injuries, including that of star quarterback Joe Burrow. Addressing the failure to trade Hendrickson, Tobin remarked, “The opportunities aren’t always there… If you’re in the swing of the season and the guy is helping you, you’re looking to keep the chance alive.”
As the Bengals move forward, Hendrickson’s departure marks the end of an era for one of their most significant recent signings. With free agency approaching, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see where Hendrickson lands and how it affects the Bengals’ future.
For more on the evolving landscape of NFL free agency, you can check reports from the NFL Network and ESPN.
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