Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft From Dane Brugler, Trey Hendrickson Saga Over, Luke Skaljac On 30-0 Miami RedHawks

On today's show, Stone is joined by Miami RedHawks point guard Luke Skaljac and they discuss the 30-0 start to the season for the Miami RedHawks. Also, we break down Dane Brugler's two-round mock draft for The Athletic and do one final Trey Hendrickson segment as his time in Cincinnati is officially over.

The Cincinnati Bengals made a calculated and somewhat surprising decision by choosing not to use the franchise tag on star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. On the surface, tagging Hendrickson would have guaranteed the team another year of elite edge production while buying time to negotiate a long-term extension. However, the Bengals’ choice signals a broader strategic approach shaped by financial realities and roster priorities.

Hendrickson has been one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers since arriving in Cincinnati, consistently ranking near the top of the league in sacks and quarterback pressures. Letting a player of that caliber approach the open market — or at least declining to tag him — suggests the Bengals are carefully managing their salary cap with an eye toward the future. With massive long-term investments already committed to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow and key offensive weapons like Ja'Marr Chase, the front office faces tough financial trade-offs.

The franchise tag for a top defensive end would have come with a significant one-year cap hit, potentially limiting flexibility to address other needs, including offensive line depth and secondary reinforcements. By not tagging Hendrickson, the Bengals may be signaling confidence in their ability to negotiate a more cap-friendly multi-year deal, or they may be preparing for the possibility of reallocating resources to younger, ascending defenders.

There’s also a philosophical element at play. Cincinnati has increasingly built through the draft and developed internal talent rather than relying on expensive short-term fixes. If the organization believes it can maintain defensive pressure through scheme, rotation, and emerging players, declining the tag becomes more understandable.

Ultimately, the decision underscores the delicate balancing act facing contenders: retaining elite talent while sustaining long-term roster health. Whether this gamble pays off will hinge on how the Bengals reshape their pass rush moving forward.

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