{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreibvysyg3qsfs67bm4gzwetxdawx6cglk7vqnsejwn73ovnsfmqeke",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6qhlpsrtd2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreih6gsrgqcjdfepspnj6npo67nyahgoc6rdtktg2ukogqtcqw4becu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 151555
  },
  "path": "/bears/2026/03/03/bears-free-agency-franchise-tag-bengals-edge-rusher-trey-hendrickson-becomes-free-agent",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T21:06:40.247Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Add another edge rusher to the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears\" target=\"_blank\" >Bears’ </a>free-agent watch list: Trey Hendrickson.</p><p>The Bengals didn’t issue the franchise tag to their star defensive end by Wednesday’s 3 p.m. deadline, which means Hendrickson will head to free agency next week.</p><p>Hendrickson is 31 and played just seven games for the Bengals last season because of injury — and after an offseason tug-of-war about his contract. He had 17 ½ sacks in each of the previous two seasons, though.</p><p>He said goodbye to Cincinnati fans, teammates and coaches in a long letter Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Hendrickson played for <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/03/03/bears-drew-dalman-expected-to-retire-center-ryan-poles-falcons-stanford-nfl\" target=\"_blank\" >Bears</a> defensive coordinator Dennis Allen when the two worked for the Saints. Hendrickson played his first four seasons with the team after being drafted in 2017.</p><p>The Bears didn’t have any logical franchise tag candidates.</p><p>Those who were tagged include the Jets running back Breece Hall; Cowboys receiver George Pickens; Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts; and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones got the transition tag, which gives them the right to match any offer.</p><p>The franchise tag binds a player to their team for an extra season after calculating his salary based on top-performing players at his position. It’s often a starting point for a contract extension — tagged players can negotiate one until July 15.</p>",
  "title": "Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson becomes free agent",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-03T21:33:42.644Z"
}