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Bengals Weigh Franchise Tag for Trey Hendrickson as Burrow Trade Talk Shut Down

Team insiders indicate Cincinnati plans to spend more on defense to back Joe Burrow this offseason.

Overview

  • NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the Bengals are considering the franchise tag for Trey Hendrickson, with a tag-and-trade viewed as possible.
  • ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler characterizes the Hendrickson-Bengals relationship as near its end and says tagging him would be a mild surprise given a cost well above $30 million.
  • Letting Hendrickson leave could net Cincinnati a 2027 third-round compensatory pick, per Fowler’s assessment.
  • Hendrickson is projected around $50 million over two years and is expected to draw interest from the Cowboys, Colts and Buccaneers, with Dallas having previously inquired about him.
  • Ian Rapoport says the Bengals will not trade Joe Burrow and are expected to increase offseason spending with an emphasis on the defense, while multiple reports note interest in re-signing Joe Flacco as veteran depth.