Potential Patriots Free Agent Target Predicted To Sign With Cowboys

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The New England Patriots are expected to pursue pass rushers in free agency and the draft, and Trey Hendrickson could be a target.

Hendrickson was not franchise tagged and posted a lengthy goodbye to the Bengals on Instagram.

"To the organization: Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level," he wrote on Tuesday. "The last five years have been filled with great wins and tough losses. Personal achievements and humbling adversities. I was and always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo and honor the history behind it."

Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler and former First-Team All-Pro. He would be a great addition to the Patriots, but many other teams will also be trying to land him. The Dallas Cowboys could use an elite pass rusher after trading Micah Parsons, and ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum predicted they would win the sweepstakes for Hendrickson.

"He would help to buttress their pass rush, which fell over the cliff after the Micah Parsons trade," wrote Tannenbaum on Wednesday. "Hendrickson was injured for much of last season, but when healthy, he is still one of the best pass rushers in the league."

Hendrickson led the league in sacks in 2024 and has 81 career sacks. He has 39 sacks in the last three seasons, despite playing just seven games last season. He would help the Patriots plenty, after they had just 35 regular-season sacks last year. However, the Patriots have other needs as well, and spending big on Hendrickson could prevent them from addressing other areas.

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