Bengals Expected to Make Interesting Trey Hendrickson Trade Decision

Cincinnati may look to execute a sign-and-trade deal with the pass rusher rather than let him walk in free agency.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 2:23pm

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The Cincinnati Bengals and All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson appear headed for a split this offseason, with the team more likely to execute an interesting sign-and-trade strategy than simply letting him walk or re-signing him, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz.

Why it matters

Hendrickson had a breakout season with the Bengals, making the Pro Bowl, and the team will want to recoup as much value as possible if he departs in free agency. A sign-and-trade deal could allow Cincinnati to get more in return than just a compensatory draft pick.

The details

While the Bengals could franchise tag Hendrickson, it seems a sign-and-trade deal is more likely. This would give Cincinnati guaranteed draft picks in return, potentially even a third-rounder if Hendrickson hits certain performance incentives with his new team.

  • Hendrickson is set to be a free agent this offseason.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

An All-Pro pass rusher who had a breakout season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL team that Trey Hendrickson currently plays for, but may look to trade him this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“It is a possibility that the Bengals use their franchise tag on Hendrickson, who is about to hit free agency, but it seems that some sort of sign-and-trade deal is more likely.”

— Aaron Schatz, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Bengals will need to decide in the coming weeks whether to franchise tag Hendrickson, re-sign him to a new contract, or execute a sign-and-trade deal to get value in return for the pass rusher.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the difficult decisions NFL teams face when star players approach free agency, as the Bengals must weigh keeping Hendrickson, letting him walk for a compensatory pick, or trying to maximize their return through a sign-and-trade agreement.