The second half of the NFL season shifts focus toward roster decisions and impending free agency in March. Trey Hendrickson has produced consistent pressure and reliable finishes across multiple seasons.
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Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates the win after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Hendricksonrecorded 17.5 sacks in 2024 and generated 65 pressures that tied for the league lead. This season, he has 4 sacks while Cincinnati navigates a roster transition and adjustments.
At age 31, Hendrickson remains technically sound and wins with counters, hand placement and leverage. Those traits increase his appeal for contenders seeking immediate edge disruption without long adaptation periods.
The Bengals face a cap calculus because Hendrickson carries a 2025 salary of $29 million. Front office options include the franchise tag priced near 36 million dollars and possible sign and trade scenarios.
Seven edge rushers currently earn at least $34 million per year and that sets a market benchmark. Hendrickson profiles as a player who could command top market compensation if he reaches free agency.
Teams with younger pass rushers will value his ability to play high snap counts and win late downs. Scheme fit matters because he succeeds from wide alignments and can slide inside on passing downs.
Medical history and snap counts will factor into any long-term offer as teams balance risk and reward. The decision timeline will include extension talks, a potential tag and other positional spending priorities.
Cincinnati must weigh cap flexibility, roster timeline and the scarcity of proven edge production when deciding. A franchise tag would preserve immediate production but limit long-term cap maneuverability for the team.
Executives view Hendrickson as a high-value rental in the short term and a potential candidate for a multi-year contract. Those dynamics make Hendrickson among the most likely edges to generate significant free agent interest.
Teams in the top seed chase proven pass rushers to boost playoff pass rush metrics and fourth-quarter pressure rates. General managers will examine advanced metrics including pressure rate, pass rush win rate and snap adjusted production.
The influence of coaching schemes on his role will affect valuation and expected snap allocation in new systems. Compensation structures may include void years and signing bonuses to lower early year cap hits.
Player preference and fit could steer Hendrickson toward contenders with clearer championship windows. Agents will emphasize his recent sack and pressure totals when negotiating guaranteed money and yearly averages.
Market Scenarios That Will Shape Trey Hendrickson’s Final Contract
If Cincinnatiextends Hendrickson, they will likely offer a multi-year deal with a structure that protects cap space. If the Bengals use the tag, teams may pursue sign and trade solutions to acquire him without a long-term commitment.
Contending teams may prioritize short-term guarantees, while rebuilding teams will favor cap-friendly vesting features. Hendrickson’s age will temper some offers, but his consistent production reduces that concern for many contenders.
The broader free agent class will shift through extensions, cuts and tags between now and March of 2026. Any final market valuation will reflect scarcity at the edge position and the premium on proven pressure generation.
Hendrickson should remain a central figure in those offseason discussions, given his high output and versatility.