Bold takeaway: Trey Hendrickson is hitting free agency after the Bengals chose not to place the franchise tag on him, instantly shifting the team’s defensive outlook for 2026.
Overview in plain terms: The Cincinnati Bengals opted not to apply a franchise tag to defensive end Trey Hendrickson before the deadline, which means he will enter free agency. Hendrickson earned a Pro Bowl berth in each of his first four years with Cincinnati (2021–2024), but injuries limited him to seven games in 2025. In the 2025 season, he posted four sacks and three tackles for loss—far below the 17.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss he produced in 2024.
Contract context: After months of speculation last offseason—with Hendrickson missing some training camp practices—the veteran agreed to a one-year extension for the 2025 season worth $30 million. With the tag no longer on the table, Hendrickson is expected to sign with another team when free agency opens next week.
Team implications: The Bengals now head into free agency without their franchise-tag option for Hendrickson. They’ll likely rely on rising edge rusher Myles Murphy to anchor the defensive line alongside other additions via free agency and the draft in April. Hendrickson’s departure opens opportunities for new or reworked pass rush plans in Cincinnati.
Player perspective: In a statement posted to social media after the decision, Hendrickson thanked the Bengals for five seasons and reflected on the journey. He said, in essence, that he appreciated the chance to play at the highest level, noted both big wins and tough losses, and expressed pride in wearing the Bengals’ logo and honoring the franchise’s history.
Additional note: The franchise tag is a tool teams may use to keep a pending free agent for one more season, but the Bengals chose not to exercise it on Hendrickson this time. As a result, the broader market for his services will unfold once free agency officially begins.
