Bengals' $30 million Trey Hendrickson option would be a 'surprise' per NFL insider

The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do this offseason on the defensive side of the ball after a disastrous 2025.

Every position could use some help, but the pass rusher position might be the biggest need. Trey Hendrickson is set to be a free agent, though the Bengals could still try to bring him back.

But, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, there is one $30 million decision the Bengals could make with Hendrickson that would be a "surprise" this offseason. And that would be a standard franchise tag.

Bengals franchise tagging Trey Hendrickson would be a 'surprise'

"The sense at the end of the week is that Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and Odafe Oweh (Chargers) will probably not be franchise-tagged," Fowler writes. "... and most around the league would be surprised if the Bengals tag Hendrickson."

Cincinnati brought Hendrickson back on a one-year deal last year, and with the veteran pass rusher slated to hit the open market, a franchise tag isn't out of the question.

But, despite the All-Pro pass rusher being someone hard to replace, the Bengals are not expected to tag him, and Hendrickson is more likely to leave than sign an extension.

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Hendrickson has had four Pro Bowl seasons in his career, all with the Bengals since 2021. He's recorded 17.5 sacks twice, and overall in five years with the Bengals, he put up 61 total sacks.

Seeing him leave in free agency, which is the most likely case based on Hendrickson being unlikely to re-sign with the Bengals, would sting.

Hendrickson getting tagged by the Bengals would be a surprise, according to most insiders around the NFL. That likely means his time with the team is coming to an end.

While it might've ended on an injury-shortened season, the now 31-year-old pass rusher had a remarkably successful career with the Bengals. He was one of the best free agent signings in franchise history, and now he is set to hit the open market again.

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