Cincinnati Bengals
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CBS Sports predicts Trey Hendrickson signing with Ravens
The Cincinnati Bengals had a major decision to make on Trey Hendrickson going into the 2026 offseason.
Hendrickson is set to be an unrestricted free agent when the year begins. This is barring the Bengals slapping the franchise tag on him.
If the Bengals were to do that, then of course, Hendrickson could theoretically spend another year in Cinci. It did seem more likely, however, that it would be more of a tag-and-trade situation.
It looks like we may finally have the answer to the entire Hendrickson situation.
Bengals Not Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals, Trey Hendrickson
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently broke the news that the Bengals are not expected to franchise tag Trey Hendrickson. The report came through Sports Illustrated‘s James Rapien.
“The Bengals aren’t expected to use the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson ahead of Tuesday’s deadline according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That isn’t surprising after Duke Tobin’s comments during the NFL combine, but it’s certainly noteworthy.
Fowler touched a bit more on the feeling around the league regarding Hendrickson’s contract situation with the Bengals.
“The sense at the end of the week is that Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and Odafe Oweh (Chargers) will probably not be franchise-tagged. That could change over the next 48 hours, but Oweh has not received any indication that he will be tagged. Most around the league would be surprised if the Bengals tag Hendrickson.”
It’s not a very surprising turn of events. Hendrickson’s time as a Bengal has felt close to an end for a while. It sounds like it’s officially happening soon.
Joe Flacco Expected to Follow Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta
Joe Flacco and K'Lavon Chaisson
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Joe Flacco #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals avoids a sack from K’Lavon Chaisson #44 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Paycor Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Dan Graziano recently touched on the likelihood of Flacco heading to Atlanta in a piece for ESPN.
“Some teams have interest in veteran Joe Flacco after the way he played last season in starting roles in Cleveland and Cincinnati. But a lot of folks in Indy said they expect Flacco to follow coach Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta as an option. This is in case Michael Penix Jr. isn’t ready to start the season.”
This makes all the sense in the world for Atlanta. Penix Jr. suffered a torn ACL for the third time in his football career. The first two times were his right ACL, but the most recent in November was his left ACL. This marked his fifth career season-ending injury between his collegiate and professional career.
Joe Flacco spent two seasons in Cleveland under Kevin Stefanski. The first season came in 2023, and the second in 2025. Neither were full seasons, as he signed in 2023 in November after Deshaun Watson was ruled out for season. He began 2025 with the Browns. Before that, he was traded to the Bengals when Jake Browning wasn’t getting it done in place of an injured Joe Burrow.