The NFL offseason, as it often does, centered around a handful of players seeking new contracts. Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was at the forefront.
The nine-year veteran entered the final year of his deal hoping for an extension. Instead, the two sides revised his contract for 2025, giving him a $14 million raise. Hendrickson will now make $30 million this season before hitting free agency in 2026.
That leaves Cincinnati preparing to eventually find its next premier pass rusher. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson believes the Bengals’ best option may come in the 2026 NFL Draft: Miami Hurricanes edge defender Rueben Bain Jr.
“Rueben Bain Jr. is an explosive, violent edge rusher with rare power and bend, capable of turning the corner from wide alignments and overwhelming tackles with speed-to-power,” Wilson wrote. “He wins with a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves — from bull rushes to inside counters — and plays with exceptional contact balance and hand usage to shed blocks both as a rusher and run defender. Relentlessly disruptive and highly explosive off the snap, Bain consistently collapses pockets, sets a firm edge and makes impact plays from whistle to whistle.”
Bain has been a force during Miami’s 5-0 start that has vaulted the Hurricanes to No. 2 in the country. Through five games, he has two sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble.
“Rueben Bain is the best player in college football,” ESPN’s Eric Mac Lain said.
While the raw numbers may not pop, Bain has been one of the most disruptive defenders in college football. Pro Football Focus ranks him second among edge rushers with a 95.8 overall defensive grade.
The concern for Bengals fans is what it might take to draft him. Wilson projects Bain going No. 2 overall in 2026, which would likely require a lost season in 2025. That possibility comes with quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined until at least late December. Even if newly acquired Joe Flacco can string together wins, Cincinnati sits at 2-3, though there are some manageable games up ahead.
