Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to hit the open market after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to use the franchise tag on the 2024 All-Pro edge rusher before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. By forgoing the tag, the Bengals cleared the way for Hendrickson to negotiate and sign with any team once free agency begins next week.
The decision ends Hendrickson’s current run with Cincinnati, where he emerged as one of the league’s more productive pass-rushers. His performance in 2024 earned him All-Pro recognition, underscoring his impact on the Bengals’ defense and elevating his profile across the NFL as he approaches free agency.
The franchise tag is a mechanism that allows teams to retain pending free agents for one more season at a salary tied to the top players at their position, but it also limits the player’s ability to test the market. By choosing not to apply the tag, the Bengals effectively allowed Hendrickson’s contract to expire on schedule, positioning him to explore his options around the league.
Hendrickson’s departure leaves a significant opening along Cincinnati’s defensive front. During his time with the Bengals, he was a central figure in their pass rush and a key presence on the edge. His production and consistency helped shape the identity of the defense, and his exit will require the team to reassess how it generates pressure on opposing quarterbacks going forward.
For Hendrickson, entering free agency as an All-Pro defensive end creates an opportunity to seek a new deal that reflects his recent performance. Around the league, teams in need of a proven pass-rusher are expected to take note of his availability once the negotiating window opens. While his next destination is not yet known, his track record and recent accolades figure to make him one of the more closely watched players on the market.
With the tag deadline passed and free agency on the horizon, Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati appears to have reached its conclusion, setting the stage for the next chapter of his NFL career.
