Andrew Buller-Russ
For several seasons now, Trey Hendrickson trade rumors have been a major talking point of NFL offseasons. Now the All-Pro pass-rusher finally gets a chance to test free agency, where he’ll be one of the best players available, regardless of position.
The Cincinnati Bengals had plenty of time to avoid this scenario. Heck, they even could have slapped the franchise tag on the four-time Pro Bowler earlier this week.
Alas, now the 31-year-old finally gets what he wants, a chance to test free agency, where he’ll surely be compensated as one of the highest-paid players at his position after recording 61 sacks across five seasons in Cincinnati.
Yet, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, Hendrickson, a Florida native, would “love” to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I think that he would love to be in Tampa,” Schefter said. “I think he would love to be in Tampa. He lives in Ponte Verde. I don’t think the Jaguars have the requisite cap room for him. Tampa would be a great fit. I think in a perfect world, Trey would like to stay in Florida. No state income tax. But, he’s also open to going to the best possible situation. If Trey has a pick, I think he’d like to end up (with the Bucs) but we will see if it works out that way.”
Hendrickson will have several teams pursuing him in free agency. Chances are, at least one of those teams will have a Florida zip code, just like Hendrickson.
Related: Maxx Crosby Trade Could Happen Very Soon; NFL Insider Links 7 Teams
