The writing feels like it is on the wall for the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson.
After a year of tense contract talks and another season where the defense struggled to generate pressure, Hendrickson appears poised to cash in elsewhere. If that happens, Cincinnati should be in the market for a young edge rusher, and one name has already been floated around: Joey Bosa.
Bengals Expected To Attack Edge Market With Volume
ESPN analysts predicted Cincinnati would sign more than one veteran edge rusher this offseason, specifically mentioning Bosa as a potential fit. “The Bengals will sign more than one veteran edge rusher, such as Joey Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos, D.J. Wonnum or Charles Omenihu…the Bengals will have to attack the edge rusher free agent class with volume,” analyst Aaron Schatz mentioned.
The logic is simple: if Hendrickson leaves, the Bengals would work to replace the rusher with a proven player. The five-time Pro Bowler is no longer in his Defensive Rookie of the Year phase, but he remains one of the most technically sound pass rushers when healthy. In 2025 with the Buffalo Bills, Bosa recorded five sacks and five forced fumbles in 15 regular-season games.
The Bengals are projected to have significant cap flexibility entering 2026, giving them room to be aggressive in free agency. If Hendrickson departs, Cincinnati will need a veteran presence to help on the edge while developing former first-round picks Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy.
Bosa would not need to carry the entire unit; instead, he could operate in a rotation-heavy system where Cincinnati manages his workload and maximizes his pass-rush opportunities. That was when Bosa is on the field he is dominating opposing offenses.
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He signed a one-year deal worth $12.6 million with Buffalo last offseason, which sets a reasonable market expectation. A similar short-term structure would make sense for both sides. The Bengals get a proven name with postseason experience. Bosa gets a chance to reset his value on a defense desperate for juice.
If Hendrickson truly walks in free agency, Cincinnati cannot afford to miss on its replacement plan. Signing Bosa would give the Bengals a credible veteran anchor while they reshape the rest of the defensive front and get back to a strong defense.
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According to PFSN’s EDGE Impact metric, Hendrickson has ranked in the top 25 of NFL edges each season dating back to 2021.
On the flip side, Bosa’s market sits near $13.8 million AAV. His 2025 production, five sacks, five forced fumbles, and high-impact down-by-down efficiency, will press for a competitive offer commensurate with veteran edge value at age 31 in 2026. The Bengals should definitely look to bring in the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year to elevate their defense.
