Defensive end Trey Hendrickson has sought a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Bengals for several years but has not secured the deal he wanted, opting to play through the final year of his current contract in 2025. With no indication of progress toward a multi-year agreement, the Bengals are considering the possibility of applying the franchise tag to Hendrickson during the upcoming offseason.
Bengals Executive Addresses Franchise Tag and Trade Possibilities
At a press conference on Tuesday, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin declined to confirm whether the team will use the franchise tag on Hendrickson, who ended the season on injured reserve following core muscle surgery. Tobin remarked,
“not something I’m gonna talk about.”
He also expressed an open stance on offseason plans, stating,
“I don’t throw anything on or off the table with Trey, and we’re excited about attacking this offseason,”
and added,
“We have resources to attack the offseason in a big way, and we want to do that.”
The franchise tag would guarantee Hendrickson a salary of $30.2 million for the 2026 season. When asked about the possibility of tagging Hendrickson before trading him to another team, Tobin acknowledged the complexities involved. He explained,
“You got to find a partner and you have to find somebody that you have to have some cooperation with your players that you’re talking about this with. Trades can be complicated and that hypothetical scenario would be very complicated.”
Trey Hendrickson’s Performance and Future with the Bengals
Hendrickson has been part of the Bengals since 2021, accumulating 57 sacks over his first four seasons. During the 2025 season, he recorded four sacks in seven games before being sidelined. The uncertainty around his contract status emphasizes the team’s cautious approach, as they weigh options on how best to utilize Hendrickson moving forward.
Implications of the Bengals’ Next Steps
The Bengals’ decision to potentially use the franchise tag on Hendrickson reflects their intent to retain a key defensive player while maintaining flexibility amid injury concerns. With a significant salary attached to the tag and possible trade complications acknowledged by Tobin, the organization appears to be navigating a delicate balance between player relations and roster strategy. The situation will likely remain a focal point in Bengals’ offseason planning, affecting roster moves and defensive positioning heading into the 2026 campaign.
