Commanders Eyeing Star Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson in Free Agency

Washington has salary cap space to make a big splash signing the former All-Pro defensive end.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:34pm

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The Washington Commanders are expected to be aggressive in pursuing star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency. Hendrickson, who had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024, is set to hit the open market after the Cincinnati Bengals decided not to use the franchise tag on him. The Commanders have a top-3 salary cap position and are in need of defensive upgrades, making Hendrickson a prime target.

Why it matters

Landing Hendrickson would be a major coup for the Commanders, who are looking to bolster their pass rush and improve a defense that struggled at times last season. As one of the top free agents available, Hendrickson will command a lucrative contract, but the Commanders have the resources to potentially outbid other suitors.

The details

Hendrickson, 31, is coming off a 2025 season where he missed significant time due to a core muscle injury, recording just 4 sacks. However, he is looking to regain the dominant form he showed in 2023 and 2024 when he totaled 17.5 sacks each year. The Commanders were previously linked to Hendrickson in trade talks last offseason, and now have a chance to sign him outright in free agency.

  • The NFL franchise tag window closed at 4 pm ET on March 3, 2026, allowing Hendrickson to officially hit the open market.
  • The NFL legal tampering window opens on March 9, 2026, when teams can begin negotiating with free agents.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A 31-year-old pass rusher who has been one of the NFL's most dominant defensive ends over the past few seasons, recording 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024 before an injury-plagued 2025 campaign.

Washington Commanders

The NFL franchise based in Washington, D.C. that is looking to upgrade its defense and pass rush through free agency this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Expect the Commanders to be heavily involved in gauging his market, which will be very strong as the top free agent this offseason.”

— Josh Taylor, Author

What’s next

The Commanders will have to act quickly and decisively to land Hendrickson, as he is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. They will need to put together an attractive contract offer that can compete with other teams vying for his services.

The takeaway

The Commanders' pursuit of Trey Hendrickson is a high-stakes gamble, but one that could pay major dividends if they are able to land the star pass rusher. His addition would be a significant boost to their defense and a statement signing that shows the team's commitment to improving the roster through free agency.