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Bengals Star Defensive End Becomes Free Agent
Trey Hendrickson will not be given the franchise tag by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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The Cincinnati Bengals have declined to give defensive end Trey Hendrickson the franchise tag, making him an unrestricted free agent. Hendrickson, a 31-year-old who played in only six games last season due to a hip injury, thanked the team, coaches, staff, and fans in a social media post.
Why it matters
Hendrickson's departure as a free agent is a significant loss for the Bengals, who struggled to a 6-11 record last season and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. As a top pass rusher, Hendrickson's production will be difficult to replace, and his exit creates a major hole on the Bengals' defensive line.
The details
The Bengals had the option to use the franchise tag to keep Hendrickson for one more season, but they declined to do so. In the 2025 season, Hendrickson played in only six games due to a hip injury, recording 16 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble.
- On March 4, 2026, the Bengals declined to give Trey Hendrickson the franchise tag.
- Hendrickson posted a farewell message on social media on Tuesday.
The players
Trey Hendrickson
A 31-year-old defensive end who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals for the past five seasons.
Cincinnati Bengals
An NFL team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that competes in the AFC North division.
What they’re saying
“Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level. The last 5 years have been filled with Great wins & Tough losses, personal achievements & humbling adversities. I was & always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo & honor the history behind it.”
— Trey Hendrickson (Instagram)
“Thank you for supporting me in the relentless pursuit of winning. You've made the Jungle Roar when I hunted QB after QB! Memories of those moments will live in my heart & mind forever. The hard work this city puts in, and its support for our Bengals, made it easy to empty the tank for this fanbase! I could not be more proud of the high standards we have for our city & football team.”
— Trey Hendrickson (Instagram)
What’s next
The Bengals will need to find a replacement for Hendrickson's production on the defensive line as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.
The takeaway
Trey Hendrickson's departure as a free agent is a significant loss for the struggling Cincinnati Bengals, who will need to address the hole on their defensive line as they aim to return to the playoffs in the coming seasons.
