Overview
- The Bengals passed on using the franchise tag by the March 3 deadline, meaning Hendrickson is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the league year opens March 11.
- Hendrickson posted a farewell on social media thanking the organization, teammates and Cincinnati fans, signaling a clean break.
- The move follows a prolonged contract impasse that featured two trade requests and a pre-2025 statement that he would not play on his existing deal before receiving a one-year raise.
- After leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, he appeared in seven games in 2025 and was placed on injured reserve in December with hip and pelvis injuries, with core muscle surgery reported.
- Reporting indicates Cincinnati gauged a tag-and-trade but did not sense strong interest, leaving Hendrickson to hit the market as one of the most prominent available players.