As the Trey Hendrickson/Bengals staring contest wages on, there’s an increasing sentiment that the saga will lead to an extension agreement or a holdout. As ESPN’s Ben Baby and Jeremy Fowler write, there doesn’t seem to be much momentum surrounding a potential Hendrickson trade.
As the 2024 sacks leader pushed for a new contract, the Bengals allowed the player to seek a trade to a new squad this offseason. According to ESPN, a handful of teams showed interest in extending Hendrickson if they were able to complete a trade with Cincy’s front office. Ultimately, “nothing materialized,” and that’s led to the current stalemate between the two sides.
The Bengals were reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick in return for the All-Pro. Per ESPN, there’s a belief that the organization “either didn’t get an offer including a first-round pick or it rebuffed engaging trade offers in March.” While a suitor could still come out of the woodwork, the general consensus is that Hendrickson will still be on the Bengals roster for the start of the regular season.
So, focus will instead turn to extension negotiations. Hendrickson has already gone public with his frustrations, going as far as to threaten a holdout. A source described the defensive star as “extremely dug in,” and while in-season holdouts are becoming increasingly rare under the current CBA, it sounds like Hendrickson could be one of the few players to follow through with their threat.
After pacing the NFL in sacks in 2024, Hendrickson is naturally looking to join the top of the market among edge rushers. As ESPN notes, a pair of offseason deals exacerbated the situation: Myles Garrett‘s record-breaking deal with the Browns and Danielle Hunter‘s $35MM-plus annual earnings from his new deal in Houston. That latter contract is especially notable since Hunter and Hendrickson are both 30, and it could perhaps serve as a benchmark on a Bengals deal.
The $34MM threshold is notable among edge rushers, with Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa joining Garrett and Hunter in that exclusive club. While the Bengals may be willing to temporarily pay that type of AAV, term is the likely sticking point between the two sides, as ESPN notes that Hendrickson will surely be seeking some long-term security.
“I still think they can come to a compromise, getting him above that $30-million threshold while covering themselves,” an NFC executive told ESPN. “The age [30] is something that must be a factor for them.”
So, as the two sides continue without a resolution, Hendrickson will likely stay away from voluntary OTAs. When it’s time for the pass rusher to show up, it’s uncertain if he’ll engage in a hold-in or a literal holdout. Per ESPN, the veteran has already been warned that he’ll face fines for any unexcused absences. In other words, this situation could get even more contentious as we get closer to training camp.
Stall him out. Someone has to at some point. Let em have the Leveon Bell treatment.
Ridiculous.
Dairy Queen customers have suffered enough.
Cheap Bengals……he was the only good thing about their defense last year
Hendrickson has played very well, even into his late prime, but I also get Cincinatti’s hesitation given their offensive payouts and his age.
On the other hand, why not entertain a realistic trade proposition? Use the picks to reload, and make your playmaker happy so other players will want to sign with you in the future.
Right now, if the Bengals are dug in with having their cake and eating it too, it seems like Hendrickson’s best option might be to just show up and play for the trade deadline. Right now, teams aren’t desperate enough to give up close to what Cincy wants for a 30 year old edge rusher, even if he is the best or amongst the best in the league; this is before considering a new deal for that player. After a few weeks, when injuries have set in? Well…things might be a little more flexible.
Hendrickson has gone through this somewhat before with the Bengals. If the situation is that bad, for either side, playing for the deadline might be best for both parties. Unless Cincy ponies up for their best defender, it seems like they’ll both be dissatisfied with the outcome.
Owners have figured out that when a high priced QB like Burrow endorses a defensive player… it’s nothing more than an amusing gesture.
You guys keep calling them cheap, but they are ranked at 15th in capspace. They spend money. Hendrickson should playout the contract he agreed to. The Steelers are ranked with even more cap space at 5th overall at nearly $65 million of it but why aren’t you calling them cheap? Stop just going by the popular group thought. They Bengals actually spend money. Now do they spend it wisely? No.