Trey Hendrickson Reveals What Team He Would Love to Play For

March 06, 2026 ,
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson reacts during 2025 game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been hunting for a true game-wrecking edge rusher, and Adam Schefter just poured gasoline on that search. 

The ESPN insider said Trey Hendrickson “would love to be in Tampa,” putting the Cincinnati Bengals’ four-time Pro Bowler squarely on the Buccaneers’ radar as the league barrels toward free agency.

Trey Hendrickson and Buccaneers buzz gets real fast

Schefter floated the connection on the Pardon My Take podcast, noting Hendrickson’s preference to stay in Florida and adding that “Tampa would be a great fit.” 

Cincinnati chose not to franchise tag Hendrickson, which opens the door for him to hit the market and pick his next spot. 

At his best, Hendrickson is exactly the kind of finisher Tampa Bay has lacked, with back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 that made him one of the league’s most productive pass rushers. 

Buccaneers need pass rush help and Hendrickson checks the box

The main concern is whether Hendrickson’s 2025 dip was a blip or a warning sign. 

He was limited to seven games and finished with four sacks before undergoing core muscle surgery, but the track record right before that speaks for itself. 

For Tampa Bay, the need is obvious. 

Yaya Diaby led the Buccaneers with 7.0 sacks in 2025, and even the team’s own breakdown points to pressure being a weekly priority. If the Buccaneers are serious about leveling up a defense that struggled to close drives, dropping a proven closer like Hendrickson into Todd Bowles’ front is a great way to change the tone quickly.

The legal tampering window opens March 9 and contracts can be signed once the new league year begins March 11, so this could move in a hurry if Tampa Bay decides to swing big. 

Hendrickson is not coming cheap after playing on a reworked deal last season, but if he truly has a pick and Tampa is near the top of his list, the Buccaneers might have a rare edge rusher opportunity that does not require a trade package. 

Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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