A source said the relationship between Hendrickson and the Bengals has “run its course.” Another informant referred to the burning of bridges.
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Fair, but football is still football, that is, unpredictable. And a projection like this from Pro Football Network’s Ryan Guthrie sending Hendrickson to the Dallas Cowboys says a lot about his value:
“Hendrickson made four consecutive Pro Bowls in Cincinnati and recorded 17+ sacks in consecutive seasons early in his career. Even in a statistically bad year (4 sacks), he posted an elite 86.4 rating, ranking 12th in PFSN NFL EDGE impact metrics. The Cowboys need that consistency.”
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What is one of the Bengals’ biggest needs 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 running backs in the NFL and is currently under contractual control of the Bengals?
Trey Hendrickson.
When the Bengals and Hendrickson redone their contract before last season, it reportedly did not include a no-tag clause. They could apply the franchise tag for about the same dollar they paid him last year.
Is it totally practical? Maybe not. They need to distribute salary space. He is 31 years old and is coming off an injury. But those last two points could help Hendrickson have a poor free agency market as well, so perhaps a reunion could end up being the best route for both sides.
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Maybe things are just completely on fire between Hendrickson and the Bengals, sure. But it’s hard not to read all the national projections and analysis and not think that he still sounds exactly like what the Bengals need.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson Free Agency Projection: Bengals’ Pick Not Easy