“Highly Coveted” Trey Hendrickson
March 6th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
So noted Bucs insider and plugged-in NFL insider Peter Schrager of BSPN was talking free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson yesterday on ESPN TV.
Schrager and host Pat McAfee noted how for years Hendrickson has been a media darling (great for driving up his perceived value) and a loyal player battling a Bengals organization notoriously disinterested in paying all their worthy players top dollar.
Bengals owner Mike Brown is 92 years old, attends practice daily and won’t budge on certain personnel matters, Schrager explained.
Schrager also was asked about Hendrickson diving into free agency come Monday at noon.
Unfortunately, the Bucs were not mentioned, despite Schrager knowing his fellow BSPN insider, Adam Schefter, said Hendrickson “would love to be in Tampa.”
Where does Schrager think Hendrickson will land? He said he is confident Hendrickson will be “highly-coveted” in the market and Schrager picked the Dallas Cowboys.
“Dallas does make a lot of sense. I know he’s on the other side of 30 and that’s not necessarily what every [team] wants to here, but [the Cowboys] have the 12th and the 20th pick where they can get younger. And they’re looking to add assets,” Schrager said.
Joe thinks it’s unlikely Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht jumps into the Hendrickson competition full-steam. With Hendrickson coming off surgery and turning 32 in December, he just doesn’t feel like a Licht kind of signing.
March 6th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Well, I see the Texans value their pass rush. The just signed Danielle Hunter to 1 year 40 million contract with a 30 million signing bonus.
March 6th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Well either Jason signs Hendrickson or Crosby or he will be unemployed along with his buddy next season. Licht has been a total failure on defensive personnel for years. Wonder if the Glazers read this blog to see how pissed off the fans are?
March 6th, 2026 at 9:35 am
If he doesn’t like the Cincinnati ownership, he certainly won’t like the Dallas ownership
March 6th, 2026 at 9:38 am
The words I think about are pure incompetence
March 6th, 2026 at 9:42 am
If Licht doesn’t make a significant move for the pass rush all
Hope is lost, if he thinks he can draft a guy it hasn’t happened I’m worried he is so love with with his draft picks that he forget the game is about winning not home grown players
March 6th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Keep in mind, Dallas has transitioned to a 3–4 defense.
March 6th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Bucs are unlikely to spend $30-$40 million/year for FA Edge Rushers.
They will likely sign David and Dean
They are likely to use Free agency to add 1 or 2 Defensive pieces and then draft 2 or 3 DLinemen and Linebackers
They will have the same old zone coverage, try to confuse the offense, bend but hopefully don’t break (3rd and 28) Defense.
This is why they should bolster the OLine with Bigger guys who don’t have knee injury issues so the Offense can start humming again.
If the best Guard in the draft is there at 15- take him
March 6th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Licht always plays the margins in the offseason. I expect him to continue, moreso than a big FA splash.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Licht “has been a total failure on defense”
Well that seems a bit ridiculous for a number of reasons. First of all, JL brought in Shaq, traded for JPP, drafted Vita, Davis, Dean, AW jr..all a big part of winning the Superbowl.
Secondly, he is providing players for Bowles to utilize and develop. Bowles as the HC and DC has a lot of say on who he wants or thinks he needs. Only so much JL and his scouts can do there.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Back on Hendrickson, FA is a two way street. Just because Dallas might go hard after him, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where he wants to go. His next stop is most likely his last, so I’m sure he wants to go somewhere he would like to finish his career with. He’s from Florida, would be playing in front of family, no state income tax, etc.
We shall see…if it’s all about money, then I would agree he doesn’t come to Tampa, but I doubt it will be.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:10 am
The more I get my hopes up the more I realize Licht will also bargain shop and try to hit lighting in a bottle lol
March 6th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Sadly Joe, yes Licht’s record for failing to go after big money proven guys is well documented. However, as I mentioned yesterday, what they did last year and his history of not doing much in FA does not work this year. The Bucs need Edge guys desperately. Licht needs to pick guys that are proven because the Bucs can’t draft them. That is also proven. So If Licht and the Bucs want to be sucessful they will abandon what they have done in the past or this season is lost before it starts. Draft 3 LBS and a corner cause McColumn is not going to cut it and who knows about Morrison.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:26 am
buc4evr Says:
March 6th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Well either Jason signs Hendrickson or Crosby or he will be unemployed along with his buddy next season. Licht has been a total failure on defensive personnel for years. Wonder if the Glazers read this blog to see how pissed off the fans are?
I agree 💯
March 6th, 2026 at 10:47 am
Licht will be digging in the bargain bin
March 6th, 2026 at 10:48 am
bucs and bucs fans have edge/de fomo…
this dude could already be on the spin cycle in the washer…
i’m on the fence
March 6th, 2026 at 10:52 am
For what do they need a high priced edge you guys are nuts just setting yourself up for sadness have you guys forgotten bowles is still the DC he doesn’t care for that or think it’s that important keep dreaming just for them dreams to be stomped.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:55 am
A highly successful Rusher before last year notching 17 sacks per year… Yeah doesn’t sound like a Rusher Licht would ever sign. He likes 3 or below type of players.
March 6th, 2026 at 10:59 am
“A highly successful Rusher before last year notching 17 sacks per year… Yeah doesn’t sound like a Rusher Licht would ever sign. He likes 3 or below type of players.”
“The signing of Reddick seemed like a good swing, as well. He was looking to bounce back from what was essentially a lost season with the New York Jets following a trade and a holdout, but he had been a Pro Bowler as recently as 2023, the fourth of four consecutive seasons in which he topped double digits in sacks. Unfortunately, Reddick ran into some injury misfortune with a couple different leg ailments and was limited to 13 games and 2.5 sacks.”
-Scott Smith via the Bucs Team site 3/6/26
Deja Vu all over again
March 6th, 2026 at 11:06 am
I believe signing Trey Hendrickson would be a mistake. I admit I can be wrong, but I have a bad feeling about him.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:09 am
I hope we get him. Go Bucs!
March 6th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says
“A highly successful Rusher before last year notching 17 sacks per year…”
Two years out of nine years is NOT that good, especially when you look at his other years, five of which were less than 5 sacks (the lowest being 0 sacks).
Also of note…those 2 years were his only fully healthcare seasons, so he had 7 unhealthy seasons.
Do people think he’s suddenly going to stay more healthy??? Five games last year!
Then he was a distraction?
No thanks.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Trust in the Licht.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Save your energy. They will never sign big$$ player.
If they did Bowles will not use him right.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:23 am
So tired of Licht cherishing his draft picks and refusing to use them in trades. His seat is hot and he better make big moves in FA because the draft has proven to be a crap shoot at best on D.
Toes on the line.
I mean – jobs on the line!
March 6th, 2026 at 11:24 am
If this guy does choose to play in Todd Bowles wonky defense, he’s only doing it for the money and a chance to retire to Florida before his career actually ends. We’ve seen this before when the Bucs were terrible, and signed guys like Alvin Harper, Jackie Harris, and more recently, Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Swaggy Baker.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Trey Hendrickson is a guy whu underperformed for six years before finally having two great years, then he went back to underperforming.
Open your eyes people
March 6th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Licht prefers to sign injured college players.
March 6th, 2026 at 11:48 am
The Bears are releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
March 6th, 2026 at 11:57 am
fanofdabucs is very,very dumb. the only thing that todd the fraud develops is an appetite for buffets. he and his staff can’t even get tackling done right. that’s a basic requirement for a defender. TACKLE. you use the word UTILIZE. give us all a break. he can utilize a fork and knife, but has no clue how to operate a defense. the super bowl was won by BRADY and his followers. the defense had very little to do with it. the following year, the offense was even better, but the defense got smoked by the rams in the playoffs. you have no clue what’s going on, just like the the guru
March 6th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
So many posters want to get all the free agents Edge guys who by the way are old and still keep Evans for whatever it takes plus David. Please tell me how you do that and not be in cap hell at some point along the way?
March 6th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
The Bucs will have to restructure a couple contracts to have enough money to be an early player in free agency. We’ll see in the next couple days. But I haven’t see any restructuring news yet. I think Licht will concentrate on resigning his draft picks to help bolster his stats. Also they cheaped out on Tucker. So we’ll get to see him light it up somewhere else next season.
March 6th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
If Licht doesn’t somehow add a quality veteran edge rusher we are going to have another bad season and Todd Bowles might as well resign right now.
March 6th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
The secret weapon is 64 year old JPP. He really lit a fire under the team when he came back last year. 🤡
March 6th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Ufc Says:
March 6th, 2026 at 9:38 am
The words I think about are pure incompetence
DS Says:
March 6th, 2026 at 9:42 am
If Licht doesn’t make a significant move for the pass rush all
Hope is lost, if he thinks he can draft a guy it hasn’t happened I’m worried he is so love with with his draft picks that he forget the game is about winning not home grown players
————————–
Licht’s job is to keep the team competitive EVERY year… not blow a bunch of cash on a questionable free agent who even if healthy might not have it anymore. Fans like you really shouldn’t comment on personnel moves. You have no idea what it takes to build a winning team.
March 6th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
March 6th, 2026 at 11:06 am
I believe signing Trey Hendrickson would be a mistake. I admit I can be wrong, but I have a bad feeling about him.
————————-
You think it could be a mistake signing a soon-to-be 32 year old edge rusher coming off a knee injury for big money on aulti-year contract. You think it COULD be a mistake to hand this guy $75 million over the next three years? No, bro…. you are wrong… IT IS A MISTAKE. Even if the dude blew up this year and had 15+ sacks, he won’t outplay his contract. Given his up and down history of being unavailable or ineffective, even if he was 27, it would be a huge gamble… a gamble that isn’t worth the risk. The salary he would command would make it impossible to re-sign valuable starters and have decent depth.
Long story short…. he isn’t worth the risk.The risk reward ratio isn’t close to what it should be and you don’t win Super Bowls making big investments on longshots.
March 6th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
@brandon what world do you live in? This roster was talking about a Super Bowl last yr now it’s only about competing ? It’s about winning
March 6th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
No need for a proven pass rusher.
We have Braswell. He’s going to shock the world.
Jason Licht = Incompetence and stupidity
March 6th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
He’s gonna be a cowboy and Crosby an eagle book it!!!
March 6th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Only for the right price. If Dallas is interested, and a bidding war ensues, the price will get too silly. 32, coming off surgery and an off year, we have seen this movie before. Expecting him to take a “hometown” discount seems unrealistic.
March 6th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
While I do want Hendrickson please bring in guys for defense
March 6th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
We can do better for less. You have to get inside glazer’s heads. If we had Dannille Hunter and he walked away for 40mil they would say “ good job Jason, you saved us 40mil, here is you bonus….
March 6th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Licht must be asking Chat GPT in the above picture how to draft QB’s and DE’s.
I’m sure the chat bot responded with, “Do your job dumb @$$”!
March 6th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
March 6th, 2026 at 11:24 am
“Trey Hendrickson is a guy whu underperformed for six years before finally having two great years, then he went back to underperforming.
Open your eyes people”
I don’t watch Hendrickson enough to decide whether he is a good move for the Bucs or not. But to say that a guy with 81 career sacks, 163 QB hits, and 74 tackles for loss, as well as 4 PB’s in 9 years has only had two great years and has underperformed every other year — is frankly obviously wrong.
March 6th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Chubb seems like the best value
March 6th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Why not Odafe Oweh?
March 6th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Fire Bowles yesterday.
March 6th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
We need a backup guard, not a starting guard. Our guards are excellent and both will be ready for preseason. We need 2 ILBers at least one of which will start, an OLB/edge, and a TE. Plus a DT really is needed and another pass rushing DE/DT would be great. Not a guard. Get a cheap guard capable of starting in a pinch and not totally sucking, not a starter.
March 6th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Since we have the very best double-deployed head coach / defensive coordinator who reports to himself, the Bucs are set with any roster. Plug and play performance is the new NFL. Focus on stopping the run in a passing league is vital. Anyone can play in Bowles’s pass defense and that’s been proven.
March 6th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
It’s an owners’ mandated soft-tanking season, people. Keeping Bowles who will coordinate another horrible defense an improved offense can’t outscore and assure a losing season. Not trading high picks for players this season to use them in 2027 to move up if necessary for a franchise QB. They figure the fans will get it over when they build another SB contending team in 4-5 years.
March 6th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
All these armchair general managers. Bucs haven’t had a draft pick high enough to get a descent pass rusher in a long time. To get a pass rusher in the draft you need to be picking in the top 8. I was a bit curious about Chop Robinson when he came out of college. So far he’s done little to nothing. The bucs could of taken him and I’m glad they didn’t. Bucs haven’t drafted higher than 13th in over a decade. So far none of the pass rushers drafted outside the top 10 in the last decade have done squat. Compound that with a cash strapped cap and you pretty much either have to either go bpa in the draft or trade away 2-3 first round picks. Spytek for example would trade Crosby to the bucs for 3 first round picks and vita vea. Would you armchair GMs do that? This armchair GM is BPA Everytime you draft regardless of position unless it’s QB or pass rusher. If it was good enough for the great Bill Polian it’s good enough for me. I agree 💯 that we must figure out a way to get a pass rusher but I’m not willing to mortgage the future We are to far away from a Superbowl to do that. As for the bowles haters aka armchair coaches, bowles scheme works but you must have the personnel. Bowles had the personnel in the Superbowl season. Bowles defense held the # 2 offense out of the end zone the entire game. I’d say that’s a scheme that works and it’s not like Bowles hasn’t adjusted his scheme to the players he has. The bucs defense is very bad . Very bad!!! It has holes all over the place. All three levels. However there is some promising young players that should be better next season but they need a lot of help. I’m frustrated too believe me! I’ve been a bucs fan since 1976.
As always Go Bucs.
March 6th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
“Why not Odafe Oweh?”
Because he’s not as “splashy” a name, but he is younger, was more available last year, and did a little more than Hendrickson who imo is chasing money he didn’t get from Evil Don Rickles
March 6th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Just bring in someone credible and productive
March 6th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
I would hope JL would convince a couple of FAs to come to Tampa. Then again we don’t know what restrictions the Glazers have put on JL as far as spending. I do know this team will not be better through the draft right now. Too many holes and Bowles will not survive the season with average, or even slightly above average talent. His defensive scheme only works with superior talent and experience. Just look at the players he had when his defenses were in the top 10.
March 6th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Babygrace: The cap doesn’t exist. Half the teams in the NFL go over every season. Some more than others. The Saints have been in “cap hell” since the Drew Brees years but they still resign their homegrown talent and sign big FA deals. The Eagles exist in a similar state. Between restructuring contracts (converting salary, roster bonuses, etc to signing bonus,) and extending then reextending contracts with void years at the end a team can kick the can down the road practically interminably. FA talent can be signed to 3 year deals that void after one year but distribute their “3 yrs of money paid immediately” over 3 cap accountings… One could build a super team with practically every starter being the highest paid/ AAV-whatever guys in the league and keep that team together for at least 3 maybe 4 years after which cuts would be necessary but not FA abstinence since the new top end guys can be signed to replace them with long term deals that launch their cap hits up to five years down the road under the current CBA.
For example, the Saints, despite having no cap room for over a decade and being $55 million over the cap at the time signed FA heart throb Derek Carr in 2023 to a 4 year/$150 mil deal ($100 million guaranteed) and laid out a ton of cash but it only counted as $7.2 million in 2023 and $12.3 million in 2024 against the cap. He still counts as -$36 million against their 2026 cap, though, even though he retired in 2025. If he hadn’t worked out that restructure/retirement contract that 2026 hit would be twice as much, as would have been his 2025 cap hit.
The Chiefs will probably have close to $100 million in a dead year cap hit from Mahomes once their contract chicaneries come to an end.
The Brown retained Myles Garrett last year to the tune of 4 yrs\$160 million ($123 million guaranteed) despite their Deshaun Watson disaster and having about the same amount of cap room the Bucs do now.
The Eagles had about $10 million in cap room in 2023 when they extended Jalen Hurts to his 5 yr/$255 million dollar extension. After this season he will only have counted as a little more than one season’s pay all together as far as the cap is concerned in the four years since he signed but rest assured the young man has the money securely in his hands. Its not rules or locks that stop every team from doing this is is plain and simple- owners being willing to front cash until their league dividends are received. Most aren’t. Its not that they are broke, or cheap its just not sound business practice.
New TV and new media deals will wipe all but the biggest negative cap balances away in 2029 or 2030 at the latest so the time to play kick the can down the road 5 years is now. There will be a negligible loss of competitive advantage by engaging in these contract tactics now. Its not a lack of accounting minds or fear of Goodell keeping teams from spending in FA- its purely an unwillingness on the part of owners to come out of pocket.
I’m not saying the Bucs should emulate any of the above teams in who they chose to sign or for how much. I assure all there is ample room to make the necessary, frugal moves in FA without having to sacrifice any vested veterans. Restructures of Wirfs($18 M), Goedeke($15 M), Winfield Jr.($13 M) to signing bonus and an extension for Vea for a year or two ($8 M) would open up over $50 million in cap room without taking the Bucs out of their conservative comfort zone. I’d like to see them go out and make a big ol’ mess of their tidy ledgers. I believe this group is worth that investment plus its all coming out in the wash in 2029-30 anyway. Pony up Glazers.
March 6th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
I guess I’m in the minority here – not high on signing 1 guy when there’s a lot of holes to fill. You could sign 2-3 free agent linebackers that can cover. Tight end or a running back and draft DLinemen that can actually make it through a season.
March 6th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Oweh or Mafe would be the best value. Hendrickson is too risky for Licht. Perhaps Greenard from Minnesota.
March 6th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
I value Greenard higher than Hendrickson for our needs.
March 6th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Hopefully the decision to go after Hendrickson is enforced by Jason LICHT and not Todd.Bowles
March 6th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Take care of the middle like DR says.
March 6th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Not feeling this Joe and everyone else. We don’t want another Reddick, just loafing and playing around or not playing at all. Don’t get me wrong he could work, but get a younger more hungry player Wh needs to prove himself.
I still say draft up or back and get a good starting edge.