Early signs were the Cincinnati Bengals would apply a franchise tag to Trey Hendrickson, letting them retain control and open tag-and-trade possibilities.
But things have changed around the NFL combine.
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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “most around the league would be surprised” to see a tag from the Bengals at this point.
One has to wonder if the Bengals didn’t like what they heard at the combine.
Remember, in mid-February, a report said the Bengals will get the temperature of Hendrickson’s market while the entire league was at the combine. That might open a door to a tag-and-trade scenario.
Hendrickson’s market was always going to be questionable. He’s technically the top overall free agent, yes. But he’s also 31, coming off an injury and wants a big long-term deal.
From an outsider’s perspective, other teams know the tough spot the Bengals sit in and wouldn’t necessarily save them from the $30.2 million lump sum if they apply the tag.
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Getting nothing for Hendrickson’s departure except a delayed compensatory pick, if even that, would be a sour way for things to shape up for the Bengals. But decisions made to this point have created the scenario, and barring a shocker, it sounds like they won’t exercise more control over the situation with a tag.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson, Bengals franchise tag update from NFL combine