As the NFL offseason rolls on, all eyes are on how the Cincinnati Bengals attack free agency and the NFL Draft to finally get the team back to the postseason. While the Bengals aren’t historically big players in free agency, many are hoping for a spending spree reminiscent of the 2021 offseason.
As the new league year draws near, NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal released his Top 101 NFL Free Agents, and two Bengals were listed in his breakdown.
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson checked in at sixth on the list, with Rosenthal referencing Hendrickson’s dominant 2024 season, while also referencing his age and the injury sustained last season.
“Only one season removed from finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, Hendrickson hits free agency again, this time as a 31-year-old coming off core muscle surgery. He’s a boom-or-bust signing for a team looking to get over the hump.”
It is seemingly the expectation that Hendrickson will find a new home this offseason, so the Bengals may be tasked with finding a replacement for his production.
The final Bengal on the list was another defensive end in Joseph Ossai, who checked in at No. 48. Ossai was a free agent last year before returning to Cincinnati on a one year, $7 million deal. Ossai saw more snaps in 2025 and increased his production, so the interest could be stronger for him this offseason.
“After returning to the Bengals on a one-year deal, Ossai recorded a career-high 43 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll do better in the market this time around,” Rosenthal wrote.
Ossai may move on, but it will be interesting to see if the Bengals turn to him rather than Hendrickson, strictly based on age and injury history.
The NFL’s legal tampering period will begin at 9 am on March 9th, and that will be when we begin to see where the free agents will land.
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