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3 hours ago
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The Cincinnati Bengals have new life thanks to an unlikely source.
The trade for Joe Flacco has proven to be a godsend for the Bengals. While Cincy is just 1-1 since Flacco took over, it's very clear the offense is operating better than it did under Jake Browning, which gives hope the team can weather the storm until Joe Burrow gets back around Mid-December.
The idea was that if things went south, the Bengals could consider trading away Trey Hendrickson, as he's slated to be a free agent in 2026.
However, that needs to be put on the back burner now that the Bengals have hope. And, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones revealed the Bengals don't really view their star EDGE as being in a contract year thanks to the franchise tag, which only makes Hendrickson getting traded less likely.
"Something that has been misunderstood about any potential Trey Hendrickson deal -- one that seems very unlikely as the 3-4 Bengals' hope was renewed on Thursday -- is that, to the Bengals, Hendrickson isn't on an expiring deal," Jones explained. "Hendrickson got a one-year, $29 million restructured deal this offseason, but Cincinnati reserved the right to franchise tag the pass-rusher in 2026 if it so chooses."
"Cincy trading Hendrickson would be trading away the ability to retain him at a below-market deal next year, as well," Jones adds.
Three teams that are reportedly in the market for an edge rusher are the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, so they would likely have interest in Hendrickson if he's available.
The Lions have a question mark opposite Aidan Hutchinson, the Eagles have one of the worst pass-rushes in the NFL and things are only worse after the unexpected retirement of Za'Darius Smith, and the Niners lost Nick Bosa for the season.
The Niners have been directly linked to interest in Hendrickson on multiple occasions, but that remains a pie-in-the-sky kind of move.
While it's true the Bengals have the option of franchise-tagging Hendrickson if the two sides can't reach agreement on a contract extension down the road, that will almost certainly create a prolonged standoff.
Hendrickson was hellbent on getting an extension this year, and that has been the case for multiple years. In fact, he was so dug in, Hendrickson held out during training camp and publicly called out the franchise on multiple occasions.
Tagging Hendrickson will create a messy situation, but it also gives the Bengals the option of holding on to him this year without fear that he'll just leave for nothing.
When 2026 rolls around, the Bengals will have options, with the most ideal being an extension for Hendrickson. But Cincinnati can also franchise tag him and hope Hendrickson plays on it, or they can tag and trade him.
No matter what they do down the road, we wouldn't expect Hendrickson to be traded by Nov. 4.
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