The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads after another tumultuous week, with defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s season officially over and the team’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Hendrickson, a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense and arguably their best free-agent signing in recent memory, will undergo surgery for a sports hernia—a move that ends his 2025 campaign after just seven games. The decision comes after weeks of rest, rehab, and attempts to return to the field, but ultimately, the injury proved insurmountable.
Hendrickson’s absence leaves a gaping hole in a Bengals defense already stretched thin, and his future with the franchise is now the subject of intense speculation. At 31 years old and facing free agency, Hendrickson’s next move is anything but certain. The Bengals, notorious for their reluctance to sign players past the age of 30, must now decide whether to invest in their veteran pass rusher or move forward with a new generation of defensive talent.
There’s no shortage of drama surrounding this decision. Hendrickson’s contract, restructured before the season, does not include a no-tag clause, giving the Bengals the option to apply the franchise tag in 2026. That would cost just over $30 million—only a modest increase from his $25 million cap hit this year. Whether Hendrickson would accept such a move, or if the Bengals are willing to make that kind of commitment to a 32-year-old coming off an injury-plagued season, remains to be seen. As one observer put it, “Given Cincinnati’s near-allergic reaction to signing anyone past age 30, I’m not holding my breath.”
The timing of Hendrickson’s surgery has raised eyebrows as well. Some analysts argue that he should have undergone the procedure more than a month ago, which might have allowed for a late-season return. Instead, what was expected to be a four-to-five-week stint on injured reserve has turned into a season-ending absence. “He’s been dealing with what was once simply called a sports hernia, and after missing five weeks, he’ll now miss six more—the rest of the season—to undergo a surgery he should have had more than a month ago,” noted one report.
The Bengals’ inability to find a trade partner for Hendrickson at the deadline only complicates the situation. With his age, injury history, and looming free agency, there wasn’t much of a market for the veteran edge rusher. Now, Hendrickson may be forced to accept a prove-it deal or a contract well below his previous expectations—perhaps even with the Bengals, on a familiar team with playoff ambitions. “He could very well need to settle into a prove-it deal or much lower than expected. Perhaps he simply does this in Cincinnati on a potentially winning, familiar team,” suggested another source.
Of course, the Bengals’ decision isn’t made in a vacuum. The team’s lack of a premier No. 1 edge rusher—either via free agency or the draft—means that Hendrickson’s value to the franchise remains high, despite his age and injury concerns. The jury is still out on Shemar Stewart, the team’s recent first-round pick, who has yet to make a significant impact. “The Bengals also don’t have a premier No. 1 edge rusher walking through that door via free agency or the draft and the jury very much remains out on Shemar Stewart. Simple need could force the Bengals and Hendrickson back together,” one analysis concluded.
Meanwhile, younger players like Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy have begun to step up in Hendrickson’s absence, making the most of increased playing time. Their performances over the past several weeks have given the Bengals’ coaching staff something to consider as they look to the future. “Especially not with the way Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy have played over the last several weeks as they finally receive real snaps for the first time in their young-ish careers,” one commentator observed.
As for Stewart, it appears the Bengals are not ready to move on from their first-round investment after only half a season, even if his contributions have been minimal thus far. “They’re not going to move on from a first-round pick after half a season of nothing. They’d need a whole lot more nothing before they admit defeat there,” an insider quipped.
If this is indeed the end of Hendrickson’s tenure in Cincinnati, his legacy is secure. He’ll be remembered as one of the best pass rushers in franchise history, and arguably the best free-agent signing the team has ever made. “If this is the end, Hendrickson will be remembered as one of the best pass rushers in franchise history—and arguably the best free-agent signing the Bengals have ever made. Thank you for everything, Trey,” wrote one long-time Bengals observer.
Unfortunately, Hendrickson’s injury isn’t the only dark cloud over Cincinnati. The Bengals’ playoff hopes took a massive hit with a crushing loss to the Buffalo Bills in snowy conditions. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who had recently returned to action, threw back-to-back interceptions that doomed the Bengals in a must-win game. “Joe Burrow returned to save the Bengals…and it was his back-to-back interceptions that buried them. This time it wasn’t the defense—though they couldn’t get off the field late,” recounted one postgame analysis.
That defeat, while painful, wasn’t the only blow to Cincinnati’s postseason dreams. Earlier losses to the Jets and Bears, another Burrow injury, and a dismal showing against the Steelers all contributed to the team’s precarious position. “Their collapse against the Jets and Bears did. Their decision to spend a first-round pick on Shemar Stewart did. Another Burrow injury did. Their embarrassing no-show against the Steelers did. It wasn’t the close loss to a very good Bills team in the snow. I can forgive that one,” a Bengals columnist wrote.
Other notable events from Week 14 include the team’s decision to cut Jermaine Burton, a former third-round pick who failed to make an impact despite injuries to key receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. “The Bengals cutting Jermaine Burton was their best decision of the season. The fact that an obviously talented third-round receiver couldn’t crack the game-day roster when either Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins was out says plenty,” a reporter noted.
Injuries continue to plague the Bengals, with Tee Higgins re-entering concussion protocol after a hard hit, and Chase Brown struggling to find running room, averaging just 1.2 yards per carry. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox combined for 134 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati’s defense, highlighting ongoing issues in coverage by linebackers Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. “Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. must improve in coverage this offseason,” a source emphasized.
Despite the adversity, there were bright spots. Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai impressed with their increased roles, and the offensive line delivered a stellar pass-blocking effort, allowing Burrow to be hit only once. Still, the road ahead is daunting. The Bengals must now win out and hope for a series of unlikely losses from the Steelers and Ravens if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As the Bengals look to the future, the fate of Trey Hendrickson looms large. Will the franchise roll the dice on their veteran pass rusher, or will they entrust the next generation to carry the torch? The answer may define not just the 2026 season, but the direction of the Bengals for years to come.
