Trey Hendrickson has had a rough 2025 season for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played well to begin the season, but nagging injuries derailed him in the middle of the year, and finally, after a tough hit against the New York Jets in Week 8, he's yet to return.
With Hendrickson now out for the rest of the season with a core muscle issue, the Bengals $29 million one-year deal puts things in an awkward spot for Cincinnati and Hendrickson.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano predicts that Hendrickson's future in Cincinnati "seems certain," as the All-Pro pass rusher isn't likely to return to the Bengals after this disappointing season.
Bengals' Trey Hendrickson 'seems certain' to leave Cincy after 2025
"Trey Hendrickson seems certain to be leaving Cincinnati," Graziano writes, "which hasn't exactly hit it out of the park with its recent, high-round edge rusher draft picks."
While the Bengals pass rusher is hitting free agency after 2025, there was a chance that the Bengals could extend him on a long-term deal, or even franchise tag him to keep him with the team.
But, after an injury-shortened 2025 season, Hendrickson isn't expected to return to the Bengals, regardless of whether it's by way of a franchise tag or an extension.
Hendrickson and Cincinnati are better off splitting this offseason, as the four-time Pro Bowler couldn't find his footing in contract talks leading into the 2025 campaign.
More: Trey Hendrickson has likely played his last game with Cincinnati Bengals
There were already a lot of questions about his future, and after this abbreviated 2025 season, where Hendrickson played in just seven games while recording four sacks and 16 tackles, he "seems certain" to be leaving the Bengals.
The 31-year-old pass rusher is going to have an interesting offseason, as he could've been in line for a huge deal with a strong 2025 season, but now, he might be forced to take a one-year prove-it deal to try and land a better multi-year offer.
He's been a superstar since coming to the Bengals, but this season has been a rough way for his tenure in Cincinnati likely to come to an end.
Graziano believes Hendrickson's time with the Bengals is up, as the star pass rusher is likely to leave Cincinnati as the Bengals reevaluate their defense after a brutal 2025 campaign.
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