Sipu Jha
The Cincinnati Bengals enter the offseason at a turning point after a frustrating previous year’s campaign that failed to meet expectations. While Joe Burrow and the offense remain the foundation of the franchise, the defense has become the raising concern. Nowhere is that more evident than in the pass rush, where uncertainty surrounds one of the most productive defenders in team history.Trey Hendrickson’s future in Cincinnati appears increasingly bleak, and all signs suggest the Bengals are preparing for life without him. With free agency approaching and younger edge rushers still developing, the situation places added pressure on the front office to reshape a unit that once anchored the defense.
Cincinnati Bengals facing inevitable decision on Trey Hendrickson
ESPN’s Ben Baby framed the situation as increasingly decisive. “Once again, the Bengals will have to make a decision on Hendrickson’s contract,” Baby wrote. “But unlike in previous years, this one is much clearer. The odds are very slim that Cincinnati and Hendrickson, who is arguably the best free-agent signing in franchise history, will find a path forward.”Cincinnati tried to delay this outcome a year ago by placing the franchise tag on Hendrickson before agreeing to a one-year, $29 million deal for the 2025 season. The move bought time but did little to resolve the larger question of long-term value versus age and durability. Hendrickson’s 2025 season, cut short by injury amid the team’s overall struggles, only complicated matters further.Even at 31, Hendrickson is still one of the league’s most reliable pass rushers. What he did in Cincinnati doesn’t need much explanation. He posted back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and wrapped up his time with the Bengals with 61 total sacks. Over five seasons, he made four Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro recognition, making him one of the most successful free-agent additions in franchise history.Still, the Bengals appear ready to turn the page. Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart represent the next wave on the edge, even if neither is yet a finished product. Financial flexibility and long-term planning seem to outweigh the appeal of retaining a veteran star, especially as Cincinnati looks to rebalance its roster after a disappointing year.Hendrickson is expected to draw strong interest on the open market and should land a sizable deal elsewhere. For the Bengals, his departure would likely result in a compensatory pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. It is a small return for a player who defined their pass rush for years, but one that reflects where the franchise stands.After five seasons and a long list of achievements, Trey Hendrickson’s run in Cincinnati is likely coming to a close, marking the end of a highly productive chapter and the beginning of a risky but necessary transition for the Bengals’ defense.
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