Nobody wants to be negative while the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for the new league year, but it would be great if they fixed the pass rush. Thus far, they've been urged make an aggressive move to acquire a guy who finishes the job against quarterbacks instead of simply pressuring them. However, there's an opportunity for the team to be much more sensible heading into 2026.
For those who don't know, Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals could be heading towards a divorce. According to Dale Altman from Cincy Jungle, the Florida Atlantic alum is expected to be the second-best free agent who'll hit the open market in 2026.
If Hendrickson doesn't get franchise tagged, Jacksonville's front office could swoop in and negotiate a fresh contract without having to sacrifice any draft picks. Unfortunately, finding the money required to bring the four-time Pro Bowler into the fold would be a different matter entirely.
The Jaguars could face a massive hurdle to sign Trey Hendrickson in free agency
In theory, procuring the disgruntled Bengal's services should help the Jaguars fix their woeful pass rush. Despite having a massive contract befitting an elite rusher, Josh Hines-Allen only had 8.0 sacks in 2025. Arik Armstead was second on the squad with 5.5.
Amazingly, Hendrickson would have been third in Jacksonville with the 4.0 sacks he racked up in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. But if he gets back to form, he would turn the Jacksonville pass rush into one of the best in the league.
From 2020 to 2024, Hendrick tallied a combined 70.5 sacks. The Jags whould love that kind of production opposite Hines-Allen.
Speaking of, Hines-Allen earned his $150 million extension after curating an awe-inspiring 17.5 sack performance in 2023. Since then, the former Kentucky Wildcat has only gotten to the QB 16 times in the past two seasons.
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Why the Jaguars need to make a run at Trey Hendrickson
During the first half of the 2025 regular season, Josh Hines-Allen's impact as a pass rusher was so underwhelming that members of the local media criticized him for his lack of leadership during the team's mid-season slump. However, it wasn't all doom and gloom in Jax, as the locker room leader anchored a defensive line that powered the NFL's best run defense.
Trey Hendrickson's arrival in Jacksonville would supplement a position group that's one impact player away from being the most feared unit in the league. Still, we can't forget that the Jaguars are $11.4 million over the cap despite the projected increases.
There are multiple roster cuts the Jags can make to give themselves some wiggle room before signing a superstar free agent. For what it's worth, this is the type of problem James Gladstone was hired to solve; so the young executive should thrive this offseason while building on the progress he made during his first year.