Trey Hendrickson landing spots: Best free agent fits for All-Pro DE
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Over the last five seasons, defensive end Trey Hendrickson has more sacks than all but three NFL players. His 61 sacks rank only behind Myles Garrett (83), T.J. Watt (65.5) and Micah Parsons (65).
Hendrickson went through a long contract dispute last offseason with the Cincinnati Bengals before ultimately settling on a one-year raise for 2025. That contract has now played out and Hendrickson is a free agent.
The four-time Pro Bowler is entering his age-32 season in 2026. That makes him older than some of the other free agents at edge in this class but he's by far the most productive.
Cincinnati enters the offseason with the seventh-most cap space in the league, per OverTheCap data as of Feb. 19. There's a chance Hendrickson returns to the Bengals in 2026 and beyond. Given their contract negotiations last year, there's an even likelier chance he plays elsewhere.
Plenty of teams could use a double-digit sack defensive end on their roster for the new season. Here are five potential teams Hendrickson could play for in 2026 outside of Cincinnati:
Trey Hendrickson landing spots
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles gave Super Bowl champion Seattle the toughest test of their playoff run to the title. The Rams were closer than anyone else to knocking off the eventual champions and have to examine every way in which they can improve.
Los Angeles has extensions looming for multiple young defensive stars. Quarterback Matthew Stafford just won his first MVP but just turned 38 years old. If there was a time to push all-in for one year, it's 2026. For Hendrickson, it'd be a chance to compete for a Super Bowl title to cap off what's been an outstanding career as a pass rusher.
Washington Commanders
Washington could treat the offseason similarly to how the New England Patriots did in 2025: use free agency to shore up key positions, then use the draft for premium positions. They have the fifth-most cap space this offseason and there's no reason not to spend it.
The Commanders could offer top dollar to Hendrickson to boost their pass rush in the short-term while they use the draft to build out the unit with more young talent. They have the funds to get more than just Hendrickson.
New England Patriots
If it worked before, New England could go back to the well. The Patriots are 11th league-wide in cap space and could add to their defensive line again with a veteran option. Hendrickson may not get top dollar from the Patriots, given what they gave Milton Williams last offseason, so he'd have to compromise on that to play for a contender in the AFC.
He'd bring production to a group that could use more of it alongside Williams and Christian Barmore. New England has 11 draft picks this year but could supplement their selections with some veteran help at the position.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis has a huge question mark in free agency with quarterback Daniel Jones potentially signing a new long-term deal. That could take up much of the team's cap space in 2026.
If they decide not to bring Jones back or do so at a lower cost, Indianapolis could sign Hendrickson. He had his best seasons in the NFL in Cincinnati under current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. A reunion could help the Colts fight for a playoff spot in 2026.
San Francisco 49ers
Losing Nick Bosa in Week 3 of the 2025 season exposed the lack of depth on the 49ers' defensive front. Further injuries along the defensive line kept the team from competing in earnest in the NFC West arms race against the Seahawks and Rams.
It'd be a hefty price considering the rest of the needs on the roster but San Francisco could opt to bring in the veteran. Stars like Trent Williams, George Kittle, Fred Warner and Bosa are all either aging or coming off injury (or both). The window to contend with their current pillars is rapidly closing so a short-term financial risk on a proven player could pay off for San Francisco.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trey Hendrickson best fits: Free agent landing spots for Bengals DE