Bengals, Trey Hendrickson end complicated contract drama after team decides against franchise tag

Trey Hendrickson posted an emotional goodbye to Bengals fans after the team declined to franchise tag him, ending over a year of contract drama. Cincinnati Bengals Bengals, Trey Hendrickson end complicated contract drama after team decides against franchise tag Hendrickson penned a goodbye to fans on Tuesday after the NFL's deadline By Scott Thompson Fox News Published March 3, 2026 7:32pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fernando Mendoza lands as Joel Klatt's No. 1 offensive player in 2026 NFL Draft Joel Klatt revealed his top offensive players in the 2026 NFL Draft. He explained why Heisman winner and national championship-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza lands at the top of his list. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Trey Hendrickson may finally be able to get the long-term deal he was searching for since last offseason after the Cincinnati Bengals decided not use their franchise tag on the star defensive end. Hendrickson penned a goodbye to fans after Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET NFL deadline, which marked the end of teams being able to place a franchise tag on players. "To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level," he wrote in his Instagram caption. "The last five years have been filled with great wins and tough losses. Personal achievements and humbling adversities. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson holds up a finger after a defensive stop with four seconds left in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field in Denver, Colo., Dec. 19, 2021. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images) "I was and always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo and honor the history behind it." The Bengals never ruled out the possibility of tagging Hendrickson to try to get him under contract once more, or, at the very least, acquiring some draft capital by pursuing a trade with another team. But Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week that the latter option isn’t as simple as it sounds. "You have to find a partner. You have to have cooperation with your players. Trades can be complicated," Tobin said, per ESPN. Hendrickson would’ve also costed the Bengals $30.2 million if they slapped him with the tag for this season. So, the Bengals and Hendrickson’s complicated contract situation comes to an end, and he'll start looking for a new team. Last offseason was a different story. The Bengals allowed him to find out what he could bring back in a potential trade, an odd request to put on a player. Hendrickson was the league’s sack leader (17½) in 2024, and he was looking to be paid like the NFL's sack leader . Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals takes a defensive stance during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium Dec. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)After the Bengals couldn't find a trade partner and negotiations yielded little, Hendrickson held out of offseason workouts and the beginning of training camp. But Hendrickson and the Bengals agreed to a $29 million deal for the 2025 season. But Hendrickson sustained an injury that cost him 10 games, and he was later placed on injured reserve to repair a core muscle injury. Hendrickson was one of the most productive edge rushers in the league in Cincinnati, registering 14 sacks in his first Pro Bowl season in 2021 after signing his initial four-year deal with the team.He previously played with the New Orleans Saints, who took him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of FAU. Hendrickson had a huge 2020 campaign with a career-high 13½ sacks, which landed him a $60 million deal with the Bengals. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before playing the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Hendrickson made four straight Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2024 thanks to his sack total. He also recorded 36 quarterback hits, 46 combined tackles and 19 tackles for loss. In his seven games last season, Hendrickson totaled four sacks and 16 combined tackles with one forced fumble. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Related Article Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retires at 27 in stunning move: report Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. Related Topics Cincinnati BengalsNFLSportsTrending News Fox News First Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Arrives Weekdays By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!