Adam Schefter Reveals Trey Hendrickson Landing Spot Star ‘Would Love’ After Bengals Release
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to test the open market in free agency after not receiving the franchise tag on Tuesday, but it sounds like he already knows where he wants to end up.
During an appearance on Pardon My Take, ESPN’s Adam Schefter named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Hendrickson’s preferred landing spot.
“I think that he would love to be in Tampa,” Schefter said (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “I think he would love to be in Tampa. He lives in Ponte Verde. I don’t think the Jaguars have the requisite cap room for him. Tampa would be a great fit. I think in a perfect world, Trey would like to stay in Florida. No state income tax. But, he’s also open to going to the best possible situation. If Trey has a pick, I think he’d like to end up (with the Bucs), but we will see if it works out that way.”
Hendrickson spent the last five seasons in Cincinnati, but the end of his tenure with the team wasn’t what he had hoped. The two sides had contentious contract negotiations last offseason that saw him refuse to participate in OTAs and virtually all of training camp. He was limited to seven games in 2025 due to a hip injury that required surgery.
Despite the disappointing end to his time with the Bengals, Hendrickson posted a heartfelt goodbye to the organization and its fans on Instagram after the franchise tag deadline passed on Tuesday.
“To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level,” he wrote. “The last five years have been filled with great wins and tough losses. Personal achievements and humbling adversities. I was and always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo and honor the history behind it.”
The Buccaneers surely could use some extra pass-rushing help, as linebacker Yaya Diaby led the team with seven sacks last season. No other player on the team recorded five sacks.
It remains to be seen if Hendrickson will get his wish of landing in the Sunshine State this offseason, as multiple teams will be vying for his services when free agency officially opens next week.
