How Bengals can win 2026 free agency regardless of Trey Hendrickson's fate

The Cincinnati Bengals will largely dictate how the entire NFL's free agency period looks in 2026. They have the most prized asset due to hit the open market in superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Unfortunately, the Bengals couldn't agree to terms on a multi-year contract extension with Hendrickson this past offseason. That means he's liable to be franchise tagged and entrenched in another standoff with the front office over his future in Cincinnati. ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen just released a top-25 list of pending free agents, with Fowler saying the following about Hendrickson, who checked in at No. 1 on the hierarchy: "Rarely does an elite pass rusher hit free agency. The Bengals have the option to franchise-tag Hendrickson at around $36 million. That's steep for a team in transition but could be a way to facilitate a sign-and-trade. Seven pass rushers make at least $34 million per year, and Hendrickson could become the next one." My take is that the Bengals should let Hendrickson walk