NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2021 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 17 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2021 NFL draft begins April 29 on ESPN.
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a critical offseason. After a 4-11-1 season, the franchise is looking to build around budding star quarterback Joe Burrow, who had a promising rookie year before his season-ending knee injury. Cincinnati is also entering a pivotal third year under coach Zac Taylor after just six total wins in his first two seasons. With the Bengals clear of the salary cap by more than $40 million, Cincinnati has ample room to improve its roster in what should be the final stage of a multi-year rebuild.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2021 NFL free-agent signing by the Cincinnati Bengals, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
The Bengals agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal that includes $32 million over the first two years, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
What it means: The Bengals scrambled at the end of the first day of the tampering period to land Hendrickson minutes after former Cincinnati edge rusher Carl Lawson agreed to terms with the New York Jets earlier on Monday evening. Hendrickson tallied 13.5 sacks for the Saints in 2020 and joins a team that had a league-worst 17 last season. Cincinnati’s newest addition comes at a significant price, too. At an average of $15 million per year, according to ESPN’s Fowler, Hendrickson has the second-highest average annual salary on the Bengals’ roster, trailing only Geno Atkins, who could be a cap casualty this offseason.
What’s the risk: Well, the risk is considerable. Hendrickson had a mere 6.5 sacks before his breakout season in 2020, and there’s more reason to be cautious. Despite the high sack total in 2020, Hendrickson ranked 26th among qualifying edge rushers in Pass Rush Win Rate (ESPN metric powered by NFL Next Gen) and created 7.5 sacks in 2020, according to ESPN Stats and Information. That’s six sacks fewer than his total, which indicates it may be difficult for him to repeat last year’s production. The Bengals are banking on Hendrickson being able to replicate his success in New Orleans for a defense that needs playmakers.