Story byWHIO StaffWed, March 4, 2026 at 8:24 AM UTC·1 min readA Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end is now a free agent.[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]The Bengals declined to give defensive Trey Hendrickson the franchise tag, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEach NFL team is allowed to grant the option to tag one player with an expiring contract. It allows them to keep them for one more season. This means that Hendrickson will become an unrestricted free agent. TRENDING STORIES:I-TEAM: Post office stops delivery in local neighborhood due to loose dogsArea school district releases statement after woman, 5 children killed in Clinton County house fireAmish mother found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing son during ‘spiritual delusion’He thanked his teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and the organization in a social media post on Tuesday.“Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level. The last 5 years have been filled with Great wins & Tough losses, personal achievements & humbling adversities,” said Hendrickson in an Instagram post.