Trey Hendrickson free agency: Landing spots after Bengals decline franchise tag
Trey Hendrickson won’t return to Cincinnati. The Bengals might have saved the star edge rusher on the town for a minimum of yet one more season by utilizing the franchise tag earlier than Tuesday’s deadline; the workforce determined not to use the tagwhich implies Hendrickson will formally hit the free agent market.
Using the tag would have instantly eaten up $30.2 million in cap area — an enormous quantity for a workforce with a ton of holes to fill in free company, particularly on protection. The upside to letting him stroll is that the Bengals will now have monetary flexibility.
The upside for Hendrickson is that he’ll choose his subsequent workforce. Despite his age (31), the 2024 NFL sack chief ought to have a major market as one of many most-prized free brokers on the market. Pete Prisco has him ranked as the No. 2 overall free agent on this yr’s class.
So the place might I find yourself? Let’s try just a few touchdown spots.
Trey Hendrickson touchdown spots
The greatest touchdown spot could be simply 115 miles west of Cincinnati. The Colts want pass-rush assist, and a transfer would reunite Hendrickson with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, now the Colts’ DC. After signing with the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson blossomed beneath Anarumo, recording a minimum of 14 sacks in three of 4 seasons — together with 17.5 in each 2023 and 2024.
The 49ers completed with the NFL’s fewest sacks final yr (20), and they should do something they’ll to get some assist in the pass-rushing division.
The Patriots made an enormous splash in free company final offseason, and with a wholesome quantity of wage cap area, it would not be shocking in the event that they get aggressive once more this yr. The Patriots really posted the league’s worst sack differential final yr, permitting 48 whereas recording 35. Mike Vrabel will probably be searching for pass-rush upgrades.
The titans have extra cap area than anybody. If Hendrickson chases the most important paycheck, this match is sensible. And let’s not overlook: Robert Saleh is a defensive coach, so he’ll actually be searching for some sport wreckers on that facet of the ball.
For any workforce that could be interested by Hendrickson, Prisco did situation a stern warning.
“Here’s the problem with Trey Hendrickson: Injury and age,” Prisco mentioned. “You’re talking about a guy who missed time last year and you’re also talking about a guy who’s 31 years old, but the allure and attraction of a pass-rusher like him will set the market for him.”
Despite lacking 10 video games final season, Prisco nonetheless expects the 2024 sack chief to garner important curiosity.
I believe there’s going to be groups interested by including him. There’s going to be lots of groups who’re pass-rush needy. All you must do is return to the final two Super Bowls and who gained them: Well, the Eaglesthey might rush the passer. The Seattle Seahawksthey might rush the passer. Plenty of groups want that man.
He’s going to have an enormous market despite the fact that he is 31. I believe there will probably be warning concerned with the contract. You cannot give him a megadeal due to the age, however he will get some sort of deal, most likely a three-year deal, that is going to see him find yourself with some workforce that wants pass-rush assist.
It additionally would not be shocking to see Hendrickson land within the NFC North. The Bears and Lions Could each use some pass-rushing assist and there aren’t many higher choices in the marketplace than Hendrickson. The solely cause these two groups aren’t listed increased is as a result of Hendrickson will not come low-cost and each groups are at present over the cap with lower than every week to go till the beginning of the free agent tampering interval.
