According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Cincinnati Bengals decided not to place a tag on Trey Hendrickson and will allow the edge rusher to test free agency, which starts on March 11th, the first day of the new league year.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Hendrickson confirmed his departure from the Bengals after five years.
"To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level. The last 5 years have been filled with great wins and tough losses. Personal achievements and humbling adversities. I was and always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo & honor the history behind it," Hendrickson said.
"Cincinnati is Home. Now and forever," he concluded.
Trey Hendrickson, 31, joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 after spending the first four years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, who picked the edge rusher with the 103rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic.
Hendrickson was voted a Pro Bowler in his first four seasons in Cincinnati and led the league in sacks with 17.5 in 2024, which also set the single-season franchise record. The former Owl finished second in AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting and was voted an All-Pro First Teamer in that same season.
The following offseason, Hendrickson pushed for an extension with the Bengals, who placed the franchise tag on the star defender. Hendrickson, who was looking for a deal with an average annual value similar to defensive stars like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and T.J. Watt, held out during training camp and was allowed to seek a trade, but returned to the practice field ahead of the 2025 NFL season after the Bengals were unable to find a viable trade partner.
Due to a foot injury, Hendrickson played in only 7 games in 2025, recording 4.0 sacks.
In his five years in Cincinnati, Hendrickson played 72 games (70 starts) and racked up 61.0 sacks, which ranks him sixth in Bengals franchise history.