Head coach Zac Taylor said last week that the franchise's decision to draft defensive end Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 pick of the 2025 NFL draft had nothing to do with Hendrickson, and that he doesn't "think you can ever have enough defensive linemen, especially in this league and this division."

Before the process, one insider speculated the Bengals could trade Hendrickson if they took Shemar Stewart in the first round. The Bengals did end up taking Stewart, but head coach Zac Taylor shot down the pick having any impact on his All-Pro veteran and indeed, the team never moved him.

There's been a few factors this offseason that have led people to believe the Bengals may move on from Hendrickson.