After a contract battle last offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are facing a huge decision on their defensive playmaker, Trey Hendrickson, which could lead to a trade if the team franchise-tags him. While the team won’t decide on Hendrickson’s future before the NFL Combine, it’s still worth watching. Hendrickson is set to become an unrestricted free agent and is expected to have plenty of suitors. Unfortunately for Hendrickson, if the Bengals decide to tag him, it’s being reported that he’s unlikely to have a strong trade market.
Cincinnati tagging Hendrickson to another one-year tender wouldn’t serve the team well. The tag typically for most defensive ends is over $27 million, and the team might be better off using that money to make improvements on the defensive line. While the Bengals will have almost $55 million in available cap space, it’s hard to imagine that they bring back Hendrickson for almost $30 million and take up most of the cap for just one season alone.
Bengals Face Uncertain Four-Time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson Future, Likely Lead to Trade
The good news is that the team has options in free agency. The likes of the recently released Bradley Chubb, and with players like Jaelan Phillips, Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh set to hit the market, the Bengals could find an adequate replacement for a solid two-year deal. This might be the route that the Bengals take to shore up their bruised defense, which was one of the worst last season.
For Hendrickson, there aren’t a lot of alternative options, and while they’ll evaluate the defensive end during the NFL Combine, the Bengals could panic right before March 11, before his contract expires. If Hendrickson is tagged, expect him to request another trade similar to last offseason to join a possible contender.
Potential Trade Fits
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys attempted to trade for Hendrickson last season before settling for Logan Wilson. While the team is keeping tabs on Raiders star Maxx Crosby, Dallas might be able to pull off a Hendrickson trade more in this situation. The Cowboys have one of the most formidable interior defensive lines between Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa and Quinnen Williams, but they’re facing a cap casualty situation with Clark.
Dallas may put together a package of their own and send Clark, along with a sixth-round pick, for Hendrickson. This might sound like a perfect considering the Cowboys are playing the long game since shockingly trading Micah Parsons in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if the Chargers push hard for Hendrickson, especially if they lose Mack to retirement. Los Angeles has to be aggressive this offseason if they want to move further in the postseason, like they’ve failed to do the past two campaigns. After extending Teair Tart to a multi-year extension, the Chargers could afford a contract like Hendrickson and pair with Tart to create one of the most dangerous defensive lines in the league.
New England Patriots
Speaking of aggression, the New England Patriots are expected to push hard to improve the team after losing in the Super Bowl. While they’ll be aggressive in free agency, they have plenty of money to get a defensive playmaker like Hendrickson. Crosby is obviously the top-notch selection, but given that Hendrickson is still an adequate pass-rusher, he could fit the mold alongside Milton Williams and Harold Landry.