Trey Hendrickson, the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons, entered the 2026 free agency market as the most decorated pass rusher available.
The 31-year-old became a free agent after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to franchise tag him, leaving him to find a new team this offseason.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hendrickson is seeking more than $30 million per year, but no interested team has matched that figure. As NFL reporter Evan Sidery noted on X, Hendrickson is unlikely to earn the per-year value the Carolina Panthers provided edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Hendrickson’s Age and Injury History Are Complicating His Free Agent Pursuit
Schefter addressed the stalemate on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday.
“The issue I think is this,” he said. “You see the Houston Texans go out and give Danielle Hunter a $40 million a year extension. You see yesterday the Carolina Panthers go out and give Jaelan Phillips $30 million a year. Trey Hendrickson sees himself in the company of those kinds of players.”
Trey Hendrickson is seeking over $30 million per year, but no team showing interest is willing to offer that figure, per @AdamSchefter.
Hendrickson will not be able to fetch the same annual value the Panthers provided Jaelan Phillips. pic.twitter.com/t9fPopTxut
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 10, 2026
Hendrickson played just seven games in 2025 before undergoing core muscle surgery in December, effectively ending his season with only four sacks on record.
He is also seeking multi-year guaranteed money beyond the first season. That ask has given potential suitors more reason to hesitate.
NFL, Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) watches a replay as the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Bengals continued a losing streak, falling 37-24 to the Lions.
The Dallas Cowboys, linked to Hendrickson throughout the offseason, stepped back during the tampering window and acquired Green Bay linebacker Rashan Gary instead.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater cited a Cowboys source who said the team would not be “doubling down on a free agent high dollar edge.”
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts were among other teams connected to Hendrickson, but neither has emerged with an offer at his asking price.
Schefter also noted that Hendrickson is “a very strong-minded, prideful person” who will not budge until he gets the number he wants.
Why Jaelan Phillips’ $30 Million Deal Does Not Guarantee Hendrickson the Same
Phillips, a 26-year-old edge rusher who split the 2025 season between the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with Carolina on March 9, per ESPN.
That contract averages $30 million per year with $80 million guaranteed. Hendrickson used that deal as a reference point for what he feels he is worth.
Phillips is five years younger and entering a prime window. Teams paying him $30 million are investing in his ceiling, not his past.
Hendrickson ranks third in the NFL in sacks since 2020. He became just the fifth player in league history to record 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons.
The core muscle surgery and limited 2025 sample give teams enough reason to hold back. A long-term commitment at $30 million carries a risk most franchises are not willing to take right now.
At 31 and coming off surgery, Hendrickson’s leverage has a short shelf life. The market could shift as teams settle their primary moves and reassess cap space.
If a team comes forward with the right terms, a deal could come together quickly. But with no movement yet, his next contract may take longer to materialize than most assumed.