Bengals Face Tough Decisions on Star Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati must weigh options to retain, trade or let walk their top defensive playmaker

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bengals face a critical offseason decision on the future of star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The All-Pro is set to hit free agency, leaving the Bengals with three key questions to answer: whether to re-sign or franchise tag Hendrickson, explore a tag-and-trade scenario, or let him depart in free agency and collect a potential compensatory draft pick.

Why it matters

Hendrickson has been a defensive cornerstone for the Bengals, but his contract situation creates a complex dilemma. Retaining him long-term could be costly, while trading or losing him would create a significant hole in Cincinnati's pass rush. The Bengals must weigh the pros and cons of each option to determine the best path forward for their defense.

The details

The Bengals have three main options with Hendrickson this offseason. They could re-sign him to a short-term extension, similar to the one-year deal he played on last season. They could also use the franchise tag to keep him for 2026 while working on a long-term contract, though that would come at a high cost. Alternatively, the Bengals could look to trade Hendrickson after franchising him, potentially netting a solid draft pick in return. The final option is to simply let Hendrickson depart in free agency, which would likely net Cincinnati a 2027 compensatory third-round pick.

  • Trey Hendrickson is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2026.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

An All-Pro pass rusher who has been a defensive standout for the Cincinnati Bengals over the past few seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL franchise based in Cincinnati, Ohio that Trey Hendrickson currently plays for.

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What they’re saying

“With Hendrickson set to be an unrestricted free agent yet again, the Bengals could franchise tag him or keep the star on a short-term deal.”

— Bradley Locker, PFF.com Writer (Sporting News)

“Even if Hendrickson is franchise-tagged, though, Cincinnati could try to trade him.”

— Bradley Locker, PFF.com Writer (Sporting News)

“Alternatively, letting Hendrickson walk and sign elsewhere is entirely on the table, especially after multiple seasons of contract stalemates.”

— Bradley Locker, PFF.com Writer (Sporting News)

What’s next

The Bengals will need to make a decision on Trey Hendrickson's future by the start of the 2026 NFL league year in March.

The takeaway

The Bengals face a difficult but important decision on Trey Hendrickson this offseason, as their options include re-signing him, trading him via the franchise tag, or letting him depart in free agency. The choice they make will have major implications for the future of their pass rush and defense.