Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has signaled his departure from the team, posting a farewell message on Instagram following the passing of the NFL's franchise tag deadline, according to Adam Schefter.
The move comes after the Cincinnati Bengals opted not to place the franchise tag on Hendrickson today. Without the tag in place, the veteran defensive end is now positioned to enter free agency. Hendrickson has been a cornerstone of the Bengals' defense since joining the team, providing a consistent pass-rushing threat and veteran leadership in the locker room.
The decision not to tag Hendrickson marks a significant shift for the Cincinnati Bengals defense. The franchise tag deadline passed earlier today without a deal or a designation for the star defender. Hendrickson, who has been instrumental in the team's recent postseason runs, expressed his gratitude to the city and the fans in his social media post.
While the Bengals had the option to retain his services for another year via the tag, the two sides will now move in different directions. Hendrickson is expected to be one of the most sought-after defensive players on the open market when the new league year begins. His departure leaves a major vacancy on the edge for Cincinnati as they head into the offseason.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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