Report: Bengals won't tag Hendrickson

The Cincinnati Bengals won't place the franchise tag on star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

As a result, Hendrickson will reportedly become an unrestricted free agent March 11 ahead of the new league year.

"Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level," Hendrickson wrote in a post on Instagram. "The last five 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 and honor the history behind it."

By tagging him, Cincinnati could've secured the four-time Pro Bowler for the 2026 season on a one-year, $24.4-million guaranteed contract, according to Over the Cap.

Hendrickson spent the past five seasons with the Bengals. He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and tallied 56 tackles for loss in 2024.

The Bengals' relationship with Hendrickson has been turbulent in recent seasons, with the 31-year-old expressing frustration with the club over contract negotiations.

Bengals owner Mike Brown acknowledged in July 2025 that dealing with Hendrickson was "sometimes not so easy" as the two sides struggled to get on the same page amid extension discussions.

Ahead of Tuesday's franchise tag deadline, reports surfaced that Cincinnati would potentially tag Hendrickson with the intention of trading him. However, Duke Tobin, director of player personnel, noted last week that moving the 2024 All-Pro edge rusher would be difficult.

"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," Tobin said, per ESPN's Ben Baby. "Trades can be complicated, and that hypothetical scenario would be very complicated."

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on receiver Tee Higgins in 2025 to prevent him from hitting free agency for a second consecutive offseason. The two sides ultimately agreed to a four-year, $115-milion extension last March.