Hendrickson to Hit Free Agency, Patriots Eye Edge Rusher

0:00The latest scores, headlines, and storylines, right here, on NFL News Today. Subscribe and stay game ready. The NFL Free Agency period kicked off with the key move on Tuesday when the Cincinnati Bengals chose not to use the franchise tag on defensive end tray. Hendrickson by 4 p.m. eastern time. This opens the door for him to hit the open market, and it could be a prime opportunity for the New England Patriots who need bolstering on there. In defense of line, Hendrickson has had ongoing contract disputes with the Bengals over the past few years, and after an injury short in 2025 season, the two sides appeared headed for a split. Now without the tag, he's free to explore options as free agency officially begins next week. In response, Hendrickson shared a heartfelt Instagram post thanking the Bengals organization and fans for the past five years. He reflected on the wins, losses, achievements, and challenges, expressing lasting pride in representing the team. Despite a down year, with just 16 tackles and four sacks in seven games last season,

1:04Hendrickson proved elite before that, notching 17, 0.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024. That production cemented him as one of the league's top pass rushers. While his age 32 heading into 2026 and recent injuries raised concerns, his upside makes him worth pursuing for the Patriots. Things like New England, desperate for edge rush help, will likely reach out soon. This D&N story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just the pillow that plays your