CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to become a free agent in March following an injury-filled season that has raised questions about his market value.
Hendrickson missed 10 games and parts of two others during the 2025 season because of injuries and later underwent season-ending core muscle surgery. He recorded four sacks in seven games. Hendrickson is scheduled to turn 32 during the 2026 season.
Despite those factors, reports surfaced over the weekend indicating the Bengals are considering applying the franchise tag to Hendrickson. The tag for defensive ends is projected to cost approximately $34 million. Teams have from Feb. 18 to March 4 to place the franchise tag, with a July 15 deadline to negotiate a long-term contract extension.
Applying the tag would guarantee Hendrickson a significant salary and could limit the Bengals’ financial flexibility as they address other roster needs. Questions also remain about Hendrickson’s recovery from surgery and his future production at his age. The risk is simply too big and, at $30 million, way too rich.
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)
Hendrickson joined the Bengals as a free agent in 2021 and quickly became one of the team’s top pass rushers. He earned four Pro Bowl selections from 2021 through 2024 and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2024. He was a key contributor to Cincinnati’s Super Bowl appearance in the 2021 season and its AFC Championship run in 2022.
Prior to the 2025 season, Hendrickson did not participate in the offseason program or mandatory minicamp while seeking a new contract. The sides ultimately agreed to a restructured one-year deal that increased his salary from $16 million to $29 million, rather than a long-term extension with guaranteed money. Hendrickson then underperformed, due in part to the injuries. Consequently, the Bengals look smart for not giving him a long-term contract and committing to guaranteed money. So why would the organization commit to the guaranteed money that comes with a franchise tag?
Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
A potential tag-and-trade scenario would also present challenges. If the Bengals were unable to complete a trade, they would remain responsible for Hendrickson’s franchise-tag salary. Any acquiring team would also need to absorb the $34 million contract. Market projections vary on Hendrickson’s value. For example, Spotrac estimates his market worth at two years and $50.8 million, while Pro Football Focus projects a one-year deal worth about $21 million with $17 million guaranteed.
His time in Cincinnati has been a win-win scenario. Now, though, evaluating Hendrickson’s past production, age, health and projected cost, the best thing for the Bengals to do is simply let Hendrickson go into free agency.