Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals’ four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, is set to enter free agency in March 2026 after his contract expires. Despite receiving a raise during the 2025 NFL season, the Bengals and Hendrickson could not agree on a long-term deal, and his recent season was limited by injury, producing four sacks in seven games. His proven track record includes 74.5 sacks over the past 87 games and double-digit sack totals in four of the last six seasons, making him a highly sought-after player on the open market.
Potential Return to Cincinnati Bengals
The most straightforward resolution might be for the Bengals to meet Hendrickson’s contract demands, but current relations between the player and the team appear strained. Despite this, Hendrickson remains respected within the Bengals’ locker room. Quarterback Joe Burrow publicly expressed belief that Hendrickson deserves the salary he seeks. Cincinnati’s defense struggled significantly in 2025, ranking among the weakest in the league. Letting go of their top defensive player could adversely affect team morale and disappoint the fanbase.
Opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers face key decisions regarding their edge rushers, with Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh entering free agency while Tuli Tuipulotu is positioned for a major contract extension following a Pro Bowl campaign. It appears unlikely that all three will remain long term, opening the door for new acquisitions. Despite finishing eighth in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric in 2025, the team lost defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to a head coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens. To compensate, the Chargers might pursue significant free-agent signings, with Hendrickson representing a major defensive upgrade.
New England Patriots Seeking Defensive Strength
The Patriots made a remarkable turnaround from a 4-13 record in 2024 to a 13-4 AFC-winning season that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance. They have more than $42 million in salary cap space, offering significant flexibility heading into 2026 free agency. With K’Lavon Chaisson’s contract expiring, there’s an opening on the defensive line alongside players like Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Harold Landry. Adding Hendrickson could further solidify the Patriots’ defensive front, potentially making their unit unstoppable.
Chicago Bears’ Rebuilding and Pass Rush Needs
For the Bears to sign Hendrickson, they would likely need to free up cap space through restructuring contracts with players such as Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jaylon Johnson, and Montez Sweat. The team has considerable 2027 cap flexibility and options to offload burdensome contracts, allowing them to allocate resources to the 2026 roster. Hendrickson’s NFL beginnings were under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen with the New Orleans Saints, and now that Allen leads Chicago’s defense, the reunion could be advantageous. Chicago’s pass rush requires improvement, and Hendrickson would help address that gap while bolstering the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Push to Rebuild Edge Pressure
The Buccaneers struggled in the latter half of the 2025 season, concluding with a 2-7 record that dashed their hopes of extending their NFC South dominance to a fifth consecutive title. A major factor was the lack of effective edge rushers, with only YaYa Diaby recording more than three sacks. Tampa Bay possesses the talent to return to the playoffs in a weak division if it avoids a repeat collapse. Signing Hendrickson could revitalize their pass rush and boost their chances of competing for a Super Bowl berth once again.
“Trey Hendrickson deserves to get paid what he wants.” ?Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
“Dennis Allen was my defensive coordinator when I started, and now he’s leading Chicago’s defense.” ?Trey Hendrickson, edge defender
