Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has officially identified the Cincinnati Bengals' upcoming 2026 matchup against the New Orleans Saints as a marquee rivalry game. During a segment of "The Insiders," Rapoport highlighted the contest—referred to as "the Trey Hendrickson one"—as a primary focal point of the newly released 2026 NFL schedule.
According to @RapSheet, the game centers on Hendrickson facing his former team in a high-stakes inter-conference battle. Hendrickson was a standout for the Saints for four seasons after being drafted by the club in 2017, later signing with the Bengals and establishing himself as one of the league's premier edge rushers. The 2026 schedule, finalized by the league today, features the AFC North facing off against the NFC South in the standard four-year divisional rotation.
This matchup is expected to be a major draw for national television, pitting Hendrickson against the organization that originally developed him. Since his move to Cincinnati, the veteran defender has been a cornerstone of the Bengals' defense, making this "revenge game" one of the most anticipated non-divisional fixtures of the 2026 campaign.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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