It feels like the Super Bowl just concluded in dramatic fashion; however, the NFL never sleeps, as the offseason has already kicked off. Football fans have already been treated to a plethora of rumors and smaller moves this Spring; that said, one of the biggest dominoes to fall is Trey Hendrickson.
While there is no telling what could happen, NFL insider Adam Schefter made a case for where he might end up ahead of the new season.
Buccaneers Linked to Trey Hendrickson After Bengals Pass on Franchise Tag
After 5 successful seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Hendrickson finds himself as an unrestricted free agent after not being franchise tagged by the club. The 31-year-old will undoubtedly draw interest from a number of teams looking to bolster their defensive core.
However, insider Adam Schefter believes that a homecoming of sorts could be in order for Hendrickson.
In a recent appearance on “Pardon My Take,” Schefter spoke about Hendrickson and his potential desire to return to Florida. Luckily for the Orlando native, there are three NFL teams in Florida, but the most realistic choice might be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Appearing on @PardonMyTake recently, NFL Insider Adam Schefter said he thinks Bengals free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson would love to play in Tampa.
“I think that he would love to be in Tampa,” Schefter said. “I think he would love to be in Tampa. He lives in Ponte Verde.… pic.twitter.com/BnRrbniLJV
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) March 4, 2026
“I think that he would love to be in Tampa,” Schefter said. “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,” he explained.
Although the Jacksonville Jaguars might be the closest club, their salary cap space could be an issue, making the Buccaneers an ideal option for Hendrickson.
The fact that veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick is an unrestricted free agent means there would be a need for the team, as well as an opening in the defensive unit.
“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,” Schefter continued. “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.”
He may have been limited to only 7 games last season after a hip injury ended his season prematurely. That said, Trey Hendrickson is still an elite pass rusher who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024.
Even though he will be entering his 10th NFL season, he would be a major addition to a Buccaneers team that finished 19th in the league according to PFSN’s Defensive Impact Rankings.
