The Cincinnati Bengals will not use the franchise tag on defensive end Trey Hendrickson, officially ending his five-year tenure with the team. Hendrickson took to social media to thank the organization, coaches, and fans after the 4 p.m. ET deadline passed on Tuesday. The former All-Pro edge rusher becomes an unrestricted free agent when the market opens next week.

Hendrickson's departure follows a tumultuous final season in Cincinnati. The 31-year-old played just seven games in 2025 after suffering a core muscle injury that required surgery in December. His production dropped significantly from his All-Pro 2024 campaign, where he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. The Bengals had explored trading Hendrickson last offseason but failed to find suitable offers, eventually raising his salary to $29 million to avoid a holdout.

The Bengals' decision not to tag Hendrickson saves them $30.2 million in cap space for 2026 but leaves a significant hole in their pass rush. Since joining Cincinnati in 2021 on a four-year, $60 million deal, Hendrickson ranks fourth in the NFL with 61 sacks and has made four consecutive Pro Bowls. His departure marks the end of one of the franchise's most productive free agent signings.