Star Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson Facing Hurdle in Free Agency

The 31-year-old is seeking a lucrative contract, but teams are hesitant to meet his price.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, but he is reportedly having a tough time finding a team willing to meet his contract demands in free agency. Hendrickson, a two-time Pro Bowler, is looking for a big-money deal, but teams are wary of his age and recent injury history.

Why it matters

Hendrickson is a dominant pass rusher who can instantly improve any team's defense. However, his age and injury concerns have made some teams reluctant to offer him the type of lucrative long-term contract he is seeking, potentially limiting his options in free agency.

The details

Hendrickson, 31, amassed 35 sacks in two consecutive seasons with the Bengals and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. However, he missed 10 games last season and had just 4.0 sacks, which has teams concerned about his durability and recent production. Despite his strong resume, Hendrickson's camp has not been able to find a team willing to meet his current asking price.

  • Hendrickson is currently a free agent after his contract with the Bengals expired.
  • He was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A 31-year-old defensive end who is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, having made the Pro Bowl in 2024 and 2025.

Adam Schefter

An ESPN insider who reported on Hendrickson's contract situation.

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What they’re saying

“He's talking to a bunch of teams but nobody has met his price just yet. And he's a very strong minded, prideful person. He wants to get his price and until he feels like he does, he's not willing to compromise on that.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Insider

What’s next

Hendrickson will likely continue to negotiate with teams, but he may need to lower his contract demands in order to find a new home for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Trey Hendrickson's situation highlights the challenges veteran players can face in free agency, as teams weigh their production and injury history against their contract expectations. This could be a pivotal moment in Hendrickson's career as he looks to secure one more lucrative deal before potentially winding down his NFL career.