Trey Hendrickson And The Bucs
February 8th, 2026
Damaged goods?
Yesterday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN got Bucs fans panting when he suggested the Bucs ought to be major players in trying to land disgruntled All-World edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Raiders.
Another player Fowler glossed over, who he also linked to the Bucs, is a cheaper option and Joe wonders if this player is a better option.
That would be pending free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Fowler suggested the Bucs should be one of three teams chasing Hendrickson, along with the Colts and Cowboys.
With Crosby, the Bucs would likely have to pay a hefty price not just in Crosby’s major contract, but in draft ransom as well. That wouldn’t be the case with Hendrickson.
The problem with Hendrickson, 31, is that he’s three years older than Crosby, 28. There is also loads of data showing edge rushers start to slip if not fall off a cliff when they hit 30.
Prior to last season, Hendrickson was a rock of stability. In the five seasons prior to last season, Hendrickson missed a grand total of four games.
Last year? Hendrickson was on injured reserve in early December with hip/pelvis issues. Is the graduate of Warren Sapp High School in Apopka starting to break down?
This is likely why Hendrickson would be cheaper than Crosby. But a season after getting burned by Haason Reddick, same age as Hendrickson, would Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht be too skittish to lay a bunch of Team Glazer loot at Hendrickson’s feet and risk getting singed twice in two years?
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