Trey Hendrickson free agency projection: Bengals’ choice isn’t easy

By most accounts, the relationship between the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive end Trey Hendrickson is over.

One insider said the relationship between Hendrickson and the Bengals has “run its course.” Another insider referred to bridges being set on fire.

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Fair, yet football remains football, which is to say unpredictable. And a projection like this from Pro Football Network’s Ryan Guthrie that sends Hendrickson to the Dallas Cowboys says much about his value:

“Hendrickson made four straight Pro Bowls in Cincinnati and recorded 17+ sacks in back-to-back seasons earlier in his career. Even in a down year statistically (4 sacks), he posted an elite 86.4 score, ranking 12th on the PFSN NFL EDGE Impact metrics. The Cowboys need that consistency.”

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What is one of the top needs for the Bengals this offseason? An edge rusher to complement the platoon of former first-rounders, Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy.

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Who is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL and currently under contractual control by the Bengals?

Trey Hendrickson.

When the Bengals and Hendrickson re-did his contract before last season, it reportedly didn’t include a no-tag clause.  They could apply the franchise tag at roughly the same dollar point as what he got paid last year.

Is it totally practical? Maybe not. They need to spread cap space around. He’s 31 years old and coming off an injury. But those last two points could help Hendrickson have a poor free-agency market too, so perhaps a reunion might end up being the best route for both sides.

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Maybe things are just completely torched between Hendrickson and the Bengals, sure. But it’s hard not to read all of the projections and national analysis and not think that he still sure sounds like exactly what the Bengals need.

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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson free agency projection: Bengals’ choice isn’t easy