Bengals making $30+ million Trey Hendrickson decision would be 'mild surprise'

The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, with huge holes at cornerback, safety, and the defensive line.

While Myles Murphy seemingly turned a corner this season, and Shemar Stewart was just a rookie, pass-rush help is a big need, especially with Trey Hendrickson hitting free agency.

But, instead of letting Hendrickson hit the open market, would the Bengals franchise tag him? According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, it would be a "mild surprise" if the Bengals made the $30+ million decision to franchise tag Hendrickson this offseason.

Bengals franchise tagging Trey Hendrickson would be mild surprise

"The Bengals are always good for a few surprises, but a franchise tag for defensive end Trey Hendrickson would be a mild surprise for me," Fowler writes.

After a rough 2025 season, which began with an ugly contract dispute that led right up to the start of the season, Hendrickson is not likely to come back to the Bengals this offseason.

But if the Bengals don't want to let him walk, they could franchise tag him and then trade him to another team for draft pick compensation.

The issue with this is that the Bengals likely wouldn't get a big return, as a veteran pass rusher coming off injury, on a contract worth at least $30 million, and likely desiring a new deal, isn't a very appealing trade target.

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Instead, as Fowler expects, the Bengals would be better off letting Hendrickson walk in free agency, likely bringing a third-round compensatory draft pick back for the 2027 NFL Draft.

In what's supposed to be the best draft class in recent years, the 2027 NFL Draft would be a great one to build up more ammo in.

A third-rounder, even if it's at the end of the round, would carry significant value next year. Instead of trying to tag and trade Hendrickson or re-sign him when he's not happy with the franchise, letting him walk would be the best-case scenario.

Fowler believes it would be a mild surprise if Hendrickson were to be tagged by the Bengals this offseason, and while it's not categorized as a major surprise, it's still unlikely to happen this offseason.

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