Trey Hendrickson Struggles in NFL Free Agency

Is a return to the Cincinnati Bengals possible?

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has had difficulty finding a lucrative contract in NFL free agency so far, as teams are reportedly unwilling to meet his $30 million APY demands. This comes after Hendrickson and his agent had a contentious negotiation with the Bengals last offseason, ultimately leading to him hitting the open market.

Why it matters

Hendrickson has been one of the top pass rushers in the NFL over the past five seasons, but his age (32 in December) and a recent back injury are working against him in free agency. The Bengals had previously offered Hendrickson a deal in line with his current demands, but the guaranteed money was a sticking point. Now, the Bengals have moved on, agreeing to terms with another edge rusher, Boye Mafe.

The details

Despite being one of the biggest names on the open market, Hendrickson has struggled to find a team willing to meet his lofty contract demands. ESPN's Adam Schefter and CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones report that Hendrickson may have overestimated the demand for his services as a 31-year-old pass rusher coming off a back injury. The Bengals had previously allowed Hendrickson's agent to negotiate with other teams for a trade, so he likely had some idea of the market for his client.

  • Hendrickson will turn 32 in December 2026.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A 31-year-old pass rusher who has been one of the best in the NFL over the past five seasons, but is now struggling to find a lucrative contract in free agency.

Boye Mafe

An edge rusher who the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with on a 3-year, $60 million contract, signaling they have moved on from Hendrickson.

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What they’re saying

“Trey Hendrickson may have overestimated the demand for his services as a 31-year-old (32 in December) pass rusher coming off a back injury that required surgery.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

“Teams are not willing to meet his $30 million APY demands.”

— Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

What’s next

It seems unlikely that Hendrickson will return to the Bengals, as the team has already moved on by signing Boye Mafe. However, if Hendrickson continues to struggle to find a suitable contract elsewhere, a reunion with the Bengals cannot be completely ruled out.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges veteran players can face in free agency, especially when they and their agents overestimate their market value. Hendrickson's strained negotiations with the Bengals last offseason may have ultimately backfired, as he now finds himself in a weaker bargaining position.