CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 26: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the game against the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 26, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The NFL’s franchise tag window is officially open, and the Cincinnati Bengals have a major decision to make.
While there are several pending free agents who
could be tagged, only one truly makes sense: Trey Hendrickson.
The real question isn’t whether they can tag him.
It’s
should they?
Let’s break it down with an old-fashioned pros and cons list.
Pros
COST
If Hendrickson hits the open market, he’ll be one of the most sought-after edge rushers available. Yes, injuries slowed him down last season, but there’s no questioning his ability as a pass rusher. He may not post another 17.5-sack season as he did in 2023 and 2024, but expecting 10-plus sacks from him is reasonable.
Tagging him would cost the Bengals $34.8 million, fully guaranteed, for one season. Spotrac projects his market value at roughly two years and $50 million. A multi-year deal for a 31-year-old edge rusher isn’t usually Cincinnati’s style, but they’re unlikely to find comparable production at anything close to that price.
FAMILIARITY
Hendrickson has been with the Bengals since 2021 and is woven into the fabric of this team. Without him, they don’t reach the Super Bowl or the AFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons.
He’s totaled 61 sacks in stripes—sixth in franchise history—and remains a fan favorite. He knows the system. The coaches know him. Continuity matters, especially on defense.
WIN-NOW MODE
Joe Burrow likes to say the Bengals’ Super Bowl window is his entire career. That sounds nice, but careers aren’t infinite.
Tagging an elite edge rusher sends a message: the front office is committed to winning now. It tells the locker room that management is willing to spend to compete.
TAG AND TRADE
Tag-and-trade scenarios are always tricky, but they’re worth considering. No, the Bengals aren’t getting a first-round pick for Hendrickson. But if a contender gets desperate, a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick isn’t impossible.
It’s not ideal—but it’s something.
Cons
COST (THE OTHER WAY)
Yes, his production is a pro. But there’s another way to look at it.
$34.8 million is a massive commitment for a player coming off a four-sack season who will turn 32 in December. Every player hits a wall eventually. That wall is coming for Hendrickson.
Whether it arrives this year is a $34.8 million gamble.
And gambles don’t always pay off.
INJURIES
Hendrickson underwent core surgery in December, with an expected six-week recovery. In theory, he should be ready well before training camp.
But core injuries can linger—especially for players in their thirties who take punishment on every snap. There’s real risk here.
TREY’S WISHES
Hendrickson doesn’t want to be tagged. That doesn’t require reporting—it’s common sense.
No player wants to play on consecutive one-year deals. He already held out last offseason before settling on a one-year agreement. If he can avoid repeating that process, he will.
Tagging him again risks more tension.
NO COMPENSATION
If the Bengals don’t tag him, there’s almost no chance he returns on a multi-year deal. He’ll sign elsewhere, and Cincinnati gets nothing in return.
Yes, there’s a possibility of a compensatory pick—but those depend on too many variables to rely on. Hoping for one isn’t roster management. It’s wishful thinking.
Watching Hendrickson walk away for nothing would sting.
LIMITS FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY
$34.8 million tied up in one player for one year is restrictive.
If the Bengals let him walk, that money could be spread across multiple needs. With some creativity, it could reshape an entire position group. It could help bring back Joseph Ossai and add fresh talent alongside him.
One big contract limits options. Several smaller ones create flexibility.
So… Tag or No Tag?
When you stack everything up, the cons probably outweigh the pros.
That doesn’t mean letting Hendrickson walk is automatically the right move, though. It just means there’s no easy answer. Tagging him is a short-term play with real risk. Letting him go is a long-term gamble with immediate consequences.
It’s the kind of decision that defines an offseason.
So what do you think the Bengals should do—tag or no tag?
Sound off.
Relative Song Lyrics:
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay, it will be double
So come on and let me know
