Trey Hendrickson Reflects on Bengals Career in Photo After Not Getting Tag Ahead of NFL Free Agency

Trey Hendrickson's time with the Cincinnati Bengals is over after five seasons, and he had an emotional goodbye for the AFC North team.

After NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Bengals decided not to use the franchise tag on the pass-rusher Tuesday—which means he will be a free agent—Hendrickson posted a thank you to the organization, his teammates, his coaches, the team's staff and the fans on his Instagram page:

"Cincinnati is home," he wrote. "Now & forever."

While Hendrickson played his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he was at his best during his time with the Bengals.

He made four straight Pro Bowls from 2021 through 2024 and most notably led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024. It was his second consecutive season with 17.5 sacks as one of the leaders of Cincinnati's defensive front.

The Florida Atlantic product posted 61 sacks in five seasons with the Bengals and tallied double-digit sacks in three of those years.

Yet injuries limited him to just seven games during the 2025 campaign, which ended up being a disappointing one for the team. Quarterback Joe Burrow played just eight games, and Cincinnati finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs for a third straight year.

The defense finished 31st in the league in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed and struggled to overcome the absence of one of its star players.

That unit will have to figure out a way to be more productive in 2026 and beyond without Hendrickson at all now, though, as he is heading to free agency as one of the most notable players who will be available.

Cincinnati ended up reworking Hendrickson's contract ahead of the 2025 campaign following lengthy contract negotiations that included a holdout during training camp, but there will be no such drama this offseason.

Instead, the pass-rusher will find a new home despite being thankful for his time in Cincinnati.