Lions must prepare for nightmare if Bengals choose to tag this top target

A new twist in the Trey Hendrickson saga has emerged, and it could impact whether or not the Lions could acquire the elite pass rusher.

Over Super Bowl weekend, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported on NFL GameDay Morning that the Bengals are considering franchise tagging Hendrickson before he enters free agency.

"Our understanding is that the Bengals are still considering using the franchise tag. Now, could it be a tag-and-trade possibility? Perhaps. Sounds like all options are on the table for Hendrickson right now. But it is not a forgone conclusion that his time in Cincinnati is over."

This report comes just as the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up is about to enter free agency after a lengthy and bitter holdout last offseason, which culminated in a one-year deal at the 11th hour.

Hendrickson is expected to be the top pass rusher on the free agent market, and the Lions may quickly be priced out of a bidding war for his services.

Does that mean Hendrickson is off the table for the Lions?

So what does all of this mean for the Lions? In his report, Garafolo has already speculated that a tag-and-trade could be a possibility. It can also give the Bengals time to continue negotiating a long-term deal.

By tagging Hendrickson, the star pass rusher would receive a little over $30 million for next season, possibly higher than he would make next season signing with a team as a free agent that's coming off an injury.

Last season, the Bengals used the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, and the two sides later came to an agreement on a long-term contract. The same could occur here, as the Bengals are trying to build a Super Bowl champion around quarterback Joe Burrow, and they're already struggling enough on the defensive side of the ball with Hendrickson.

If the Bengals do tag Hendrickson, they would also do so knowing that a trade might not materialize, and they'll have to do the same song and dance from last season again.

That alone may be enough to sway the Bengals against this move as they prepare to enter free agency. Unless Hendrickson's relationship with the Bengals has improved, the team would likely be aggressive in making a trade, with a deal occurring before free agency begins on March 11th.

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A tag-and-trade can ensure the Bengals get something in return, as opposed to letting him walk for nothing. This could play into the Lions' hands as they could part with their own contracts, like defensive tackle Alim McNeill or running back and Cincinnati native David Montgomery, in a deal.

However, teams like the Washington Commanders or Dallas Cowboys could also put together competitive trade offers, possibly more competitive than the Lions could. The Lions may find themselves resistant to dealing away their draft capital if the bidding war shifts to a trade rather than the free agent market.

A lot more light will be shed on Hendrickson's future once teams can start tagging players on February 17th, but this latest development will be one to monitor in the weeks to come.