The San Francisco 49ers finished their 2025 campaign with just 20 sacks, which was the fewest of any team in the NFL last year.
With that knowledge, the 49ers need to bring in more edge rushers to help a group that will be getting Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams back in 2026 after both players tore their ACLs in the middle of the season.
One pending free agent that the 49ers have been linked to frequently is defensive end Trey Hendrickson, and on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals opted not to use a franchise tag or transition tag on the veteran. That opens up a path for Hendrickson to land in San Francisco this offseason.
Hendrickson, 31, originally entered the league as a third-round pick (No. 103 overall) of the New Orleans Saints in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic. He spent four seasons in New Orleans and the last five with the Bengals, recording 236 tackles, 163 quarterback hits, 81 sacks, 16 passes defensed and 15 forced fumbles on his way to four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team.
This past season, Hendrickson only appeared in seven games due to injuries, but still finished with 16 tackles, eight quarterback hits, four sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. Despite playing in less than half of the season, his four sacks would’ve been tied for the lead with the 49ers.
Hendrickson was looking to cash in this past offseason, holding out during training camp, so he’s probably still looking for a good chunk of money, and the 49ers have the cap space to make that happen.
Adding Hendrickson to Bosa, Williams, Bryce Huff and Keion White could be the perfect move that makes San Francisco’s pass rush from the worst in the league to above average.
More 49ers: The 49ers could be moving on from their starting defensive lineman in 2026
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Big-time 49ers free agent target didn’t receive franchise tag
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
