CINCINNATI — NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted this week that Cincinnati only received a fourth-round pick offer for Trey Hendrickson amidst a search for a first-rounder. Cincinnati had that requirement this entire year, dating back to his free agency saga, but no team ever got there.

One of the top options in free agency for the Bengals will be the seventh-ranked overall player set to hit the market in the mind of Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox. There, Denver Broncos edge John Franklin-Myers gets listed as a fit for the Bengals:

Trey Hendrickson isn't going anywhere. The Cincinnati Bengals ultimately chose to hold onto the star defensive end following Tuesday's trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

The Bengals are 3-6 on the season. They currently have the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Titans (1-8) are in line to pick No. 1 overall in the draft. Followed by the Saints (1-8), Jets (1-7), Dolphins (2-7), Giants (2-7), Browns (2-6), Raiders (2-6), and Commanders (3-6).

Jacksonville Jaguars standout Devin Lloyd, the 27th pick in 2022, is the fifth-best projected free agent in 2026 by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, who lists the Bengals as the top fit:

The Bengals made a deal on the Nov. 4 trade deadline day but not the blockbuster some pundits called for, which was to part ways with Hendrickson, one of the best pass rushers in recent years. Instead, the 4 p.m. deadline came and went Nov. 4 and Hendrickson was not traded.

The Bengals have made a slew of draft mistakes that have contributed to them having the worst defense in the NFL in 2025.

The Cincinnati Bengals stood still at the NFL trade deadline, at least in the sense of sending a signal that “patience” will continue to be a theme for the organization.

Cincinnati’s freefall continued on Sunday. They won their first two games of the season, but lost superstar quarterback Joe Burrow after Week 2. Since then, the Bengals have won just once. They are now 3-6 and have fallen to third in the AFC North. Currently, only the 2-6 Cleveland Browns are below Cincinnati in the division.

Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, follows on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed almost 200 people in the central part of the archipelago nation, as well as five people in Vietnam. Forecasters are now warning that the latest storm could strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall on the eastern coast on Sunday.

According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys have been in touch with the Bengals about names like Wilson and pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. The report also states that the Cowboys have talked with the Miami Dolphins about Bradley Chubb.