Approval Poll: Bengals sign Saints’ Trey Hendrickson to big contract

Let’s just say many are indifferent about how the first day of free agency panned out for the Cincinnati Bengals. The opposite can be said to as I’m sure some fans feel this was a perfect start with the draft still being a major catalyst for this team’s offseason improvement.

Nonetheless, the Bengals made a massive move on Monday night, signing Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson late in the day. Hendrickson was part of the Saints’ dominant 2017 draft class, one that included Marcus Williams and Alvin Kamara.

Hendrickson was signed to a deal that is heavy on the first two seasons, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. On top of signing Hendrickson, the Bengals lost out on re-signing Carl Lawson, who joined the New York Jets.

Hendrickson had a very impressive 2020 season. He took over for the Saints’ 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport, who has battled injury since being drafted.

After getting that starting role, Hendrickson didn’t look back. He ended with 13.5 sacks. That ranked tied for the second-most in the NFL, only behind T.J. Watt and tied with superstar Aaron Donald.

Only time will tell if the Bengals made the right decision, as they could’ve seemingly re-signed Lawson for what they’ll be paying Hendrickson.

Either way, they’re getting a proven star coming off a career year.

With Cameron Jordan previously on his other end of the line, it’ll be on Hendrickson to prove he can be a superstar without the former All-Pro causing havoc alongside him. He’ll likely be starting teamed up with Sam Hubbard in Cincinnati.

This should go down as the Bengals' biggest offseason acquisition in 2021. That said, are you okay with the signing?

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