The Cincinnati Bengals have undoubtedly missed last season's playoffs for defense, but it doesn't seem like the front office is seeing the urgency to fix it.
Reports say the team gave NFL leader Trey Hendrickson last season with Sacks and granted permission to seek a deal.
The 30-year-old recorded a career-high 17½ bags during the 2024 season, but the Bengalis want them to keep the receivers Ja'marr Chase and Tee Higgins despite their defensive issues.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trae Hendrickson holds his finger after being defensively stopped at Empower Field in Denver, Colorado, December 19, 2021. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA Today Network Imagn Images)
Tobin, director of players, said Chase, who recorded last season's Triple Crown at the NFL Scouting combine, “it's going to be the first-place non-quarter in the league.”
Meanwhile, Higgins has been given the Bengals franchise tag, with both sides working towards a long-term deal.
Joe Burrow joined the MVP conversation, leading the NFL with 4,918 yards passes and 43 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the MVP poll, with 2,619 yards being distributed to Chase and Higgins. Had Higgins not missed five games, there could have been more.
The Hendrickson news comes after Sam Hubbard retired earlier this week at the age of 29.
On December 23, 2023, Cincinnati Bengal's Tray Hendrickson was before his match against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Pat McAfee shares her young daughter, wishing to die herself following Canadian comments
Hendrickson turned 30 in December and has been with Cincinnati since 2021, and was an absolute stolen for them. He spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, but was unable to raise the numbers until the final season.
Since the Bengalis acquired him, he has posted at least 14 bags in three of his four seasons. He also made the Pro Bowl every season as Bengal.
Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson took a defensive stance during his December 16th, 2023 match against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycoll Stadium in Cincinnati. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Hendrickson has earned a cap hit of nearly $19 million, and the Bengals will save around $16 million on trade or release.
Hendrickson will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
Follow Fox News Digital's x Sports Coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
