JULY 25: Hendrickson and the Bengals have indeed reached an agreement on the average annual value of an extension, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline reports. The issue remains the matter of guarantees, with Pauline adding Hendrickson’s asking price includes locked in money for the next three years. The question of when (or if) a compromise on this front will be made remains a central Bengals storyline as training camp continues.
JULY 23: Trey Hendrickson spent the last month in Cincinnati, working out to prepare for the season and hoping the Bengals would finally offer an acceptable contract extension.
Instead, he has retreated to Florida to commence a long-threatened holdout as the rest of the team begins training camp.
During a recent press conference, Bengals owner Mike Brown and de facto general manager Duke Tobin struck an optimistic tone about the state of negotiations with Hendrickson. Behind the scenes, however, the team still refused to meet Hendrickson’s core demands regarding length and guarantees. Neither of the Bengals’ two most recent offers included guaranteed money past the first year, per The Athletic’s Diana Russini.
Hendrickson received and rejected both offers in a 24-hour span before packing his bags and following through on his threat to hold out from training camp.
“I wanted to be there,” said Hendrickson (via Russini), “but there’s no way I would be able to sit there in the house and hear the practice whistles while also being a distraction. I don’t want to ruin the other 10 guys’ 2025 season on my contract language.”
Length and guarantees remain the main obstacle to a deal, suggesting that the two sides have been able to find a middle ground on APY. Hendrickson has emphasized that he is not demanding a market-resetting figure, something he reiterated in his interview with Russini.
“I was more than willing to take less in some ways in order to make a deal work,” explained Hendrickson, who expressed a desire to be a team captain and help mentor his younger teammates, including first-round pick and fellow holdout Shemar Stewart. But none of that can begin until and unless the Bengals meet Hendrickson’s demands, or at least enough of them to convince him to put pen to paper and get back on the field.
Despite the prolonged stalemate, Hendrickson is not expected to be traded, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer (via ESPN Chicago). Hendrickson told Russini that he wants to be in Cincinnati and knows the team feels the same way, something both sides have been consistent about throughout the offseason.
I knew that for all the talk about Hendrickson being greedy, Cincinnati was being completely unreasonable.
They expect to basically get him on a glorified one year deal and somehow think that’s smart negotiating.
No way a player at his peak like Trey would accept that deal. Period.
How about he just shows up and plays and lives up to the previous extension he already signed and has another year left? He’s under a contract. Let him play it out and he can become a free agent next year and see who wants to pay him. Odds are, no team is willing to give him the dollars and the term he is seeking at his age.
Then he won’t be a distraction either.
You think the team would let him walk?? They can tag him year after year. And if he gets hurt they can toss him aside. Hence, players pushing for more guarantees when they have leverage.
I love the people who say, “Honor your deal.”
Owners only have to honor guarantees!
But I do think teams would line up to give him more than what Brown and the Bengals are offering. Absolutely.
I agree with most of what you said but they can only tag a single player a maximum of three times. By the third tag they are paying 144% of the second tag. It makes more sense financially to just sign them to a normal deal by that point.
That being said I also hate the “Honor your deal” crap. Just because someone is making millions of dollars doesn’t mean they should not be paid market value. If anyone here were applying for a job they wouldn’t just accept an offer because it’s enough. They would expect to be paid what is fair according to the market.
The “honor your deal” crap goes both ways. The team must pay guaranteed portion of contract whether the player is playing poorly or out due to injury.
What’s wrong with expecting people, or parties, to live up to a commitment they made?
This was negotiated to and agreed upon by both the teams and the players union. He’s under contract. It’s that simple. That’s the profession and the situation he chose to sign up for. So yeah, honor your deal. Or choose a different profession.
You’re just anti-player. You don’t need to jump through hoops explaining yourself. You’re jealous of players and hold them to a different standard than owners. The ‘honor your deal’ crap only seems to go one way with you. Owners routinely negotiate deals, then don’t honor them when they release players. When it’s the owners not honoring the contract, it’s just a part of the business to you. When a player tries to maximize their earnings potential in a career that is short by design, you give them the hard stance and show no sympathy. It’s ridiculous.
Also, they can’t ‘choose a different profession’. The NFL is the only game in town. This isn’t like you or me just finding another company that does something similar and working for them. Tough talk from a keyboard warrior. If you were in Hendrickson’s shoes, you’d be doing the same thing he’s doing.
“ The “honor your deal” crap goes both ways. The team must pay guaranteed portion of contract whether the player is playing poorly or out due to injury.”
Actually that’s not always the case.
Teams will constantly cut players under contract before certain dates to avoid paying out guaranteed money during the off season
For instance they’ll cut guys in February before new league year starts to avoid paying players roster bonuses once new league year begins and to avoid paying roster bonuses through the off season for being on said roster.
Not once have I seen you complain about ownership front offices cutting guys and saving money this way
I get your point about “market value,” and you’re correct about that, but obviously the similarities between most people’s employment circumstances and professional athletes may end there. Most of us don’t get a bonus to accept an employment offer, nor does our employment have any guarantees beyond the current pay period, let alone a year or two in the future. Athletes in the NFL have a unique employment environment, characterized by a high probability of injury, a variable amount of guaranteed earnings in the future, and a relatively short time to earn that income. I think the more appropriate argument is exactly what you first alluded to, that teams REGULARLY don’t honor the entirety of the contract, in order to improve the team’s circumstances. With that in mind, it’s only fair to expect that players should have the same ability not to fully honor the contract. But even in these circumstances, a player isn’t necessarily not honoring the contract, they’re just withholding their services while it’s to their advantage to do so, similar to a team’s asking a player to take a pay cut or “restructure” the contract; unlike a team which has the option to end a contract by cutting a player, a player cannot simply choose to end a contract and go sign with another team. And regardless of how one feels about this issue, it’s clear that the Bengals don’t have a clue about their own team and how to deal with their players in an honorable way. Until they figure that out, they’ll continue to languish as an also-ran.
He won’t become a free agent. They’ll franchise him.
Probably. Or team will trade him and get something out of the deal. But again, that is well within the rights the team has and player understands within the agreed upon CBA.
And it’s within his rights to hold out so put a cork in it.
How is it within his rights? He’s under contract. He’s being fined per day for not honoring his contract.
So it’s not within his rights under his contract.
@bigjon…you’re dead right. Good luck getting this comment section to see your logic, but I’m with you 100%. God forbid someone actually lives up to the contract they agreed to.
You two are hypocrites, pure and simple.
The crux of this argument, beyond the name-calling that I wish we wouldn’t stoop to, is whether you see contracts as temporary or binding. I see them as binding, personally, but I understand the reality that the NFL operates in.
That’s why I like the idea of guaranteed deals. Teams should be penalized for bad signings because it’s a gamble. If the player sucks, the team took that risk. The “cutting early” business is all about that-avoiding consequences for an action that was presented as being more binding than it actually was. As for the player, having guaranteed money on a guaranteed deal removes the excuse that a holdout would be necessary because the “could cut you at any time”. The “anytime cut” is uncertainty interjected into an arrangement that’s supposed to be binding. I also would predict that contracts get shorter and dollars get lower because of it, but I think that security benefits more players than more theoretical money does.
The teams may ask what would motivate a player after receiving guaranteed money, but that’s sort of your job as a team to do, isn’t it? Not to mention that effort and effectiveness also affects future deals, so I don’t think that it’d be a problem. Of course, I also don’t see a problem with an independent bonus system for certain statistics-a sack nets you a big bonus, a pressure something less, a number of catches does something, a touchdown another, etc., but that’s a secondary topic.
Basically, I wish that contracts were binding on both parties the way that they (should be) in real life. It would eliminate a lot of the excuses from both ends of the negotiating table, and lead to greater stability. The only people that it doesn’t benefit are the agents, who lose the ability to announce these mega-deals that are only worth a portion of their advertised amount. You can bet your retirement (lol, retirement…) that Rosenhaus would rather announce a five year, $180 million deal (not guaranteed; void years to come) over a three year, $50 million deal that’s guaranteed.
Wrong!! Because you can outplay the initial contract you signed.
It’ll look good on all of them when they fail again and again.
Would something in the realm of 160 for 4 years be realistic here? Is it the notion that Cincy’s that strapped due to cap constraints? Somethings got to give but it’s not looking good from a logistical standpoint for the Bengals. Hasn’t their fan base suffered enough? Just get it done
I doubt the Bengals would go that high, but the more present problem seems to be that they won’t push guarantees past the first year. They also refuse to ever use tactics like void years that allow the Eagles to lock up so many guys. They could absolutely make it work in terms of cap space. The bigger issue with the Bengals is often cash spending, not cap spending. All guaranteed money needs to be put in escrow up front. For a cash poor owner (by owner standards—still obviously a billionaire in net worth) who refuses to take on a minor owner for an infusion of cash, this can be a big sticking point.
I just saw the Packers get $432.6M in revenue sharing so I doubt it’s due to a lack of funds unless they are so poorly managed, the team is losing money.
I doubt the Bengals would go that high, but the amount and structure of guarantees is the bigger factor. The Bengals always try to avoid long term guarantees, which is why they almost never play in the deep end of free agency. They also avoid tactics like void years, which have helped the Eagles lock up so many guys. The Bengals can absolutely make it work in terms of the cap, but cash spending might be more of an issue here. One reason is that teams have to put 100% of a contract’s fully guaranteed money in escrow after signing. For relatively cash poor owners (by owner standards—they’re all still billionaires by net worth), this can be a greater burden, especially if they refuse to sell part of the team for a cash infusion.
I get the avoidance of void years (you don’t want to end up like New Orleans, although they did have an incredible run in making that part work), but I agree, you need to be able to handle this stuff if you want to deal with and retain the top players. Cincy uncharacteristically opened its purse strings recently for the offense at Burrow’s insistence (to be fair, Burrow also seems to think the money is unlimited-while the Bengals have been cheap, it’s also not unlimited), but they seem to have seen back shut again.
What it comes down to here is this: this is a very small concession to make for one of your best (an argument can be made that Hendrickson IS their best) players at a position where you already have another situation gripping you. Make the concession, bite the bullet, compete on the field.
Never though I’d comment so much on a contract negotiation, but hey, here we are, I guess.
Pretty obvious that the Bengals are not going to negotiate in the press, namely they are not going to make any details of their offers public….so, most fans and the majority of commenters on this site will paint them as a bad front office and owner, unwilling to agree to demands on length and salary….which Hendrickson keeps publicly making known he and his camp don’t believe are unreasonable (don’t want to set the market high on my skills) …..so one side is being mocked as uncaring but how about the money they have doled out to their QB and WR…..and what about Stewart who wants to get guaranteed contract even though he hasn’t played a down in the NFL….pretty much read in these columns that they were in the same position and caved and gave them their money…..do they have the cap and how much money is enough to field a playoff caliber team?
I don’t really like to form opinions without all the information, but the answer seems obvious to me (if this report is accurate): just give Hendrickson some guarantees for at least two years. It doesn’t have to be market setting, just make the offer, and make it somewhat reasonable. If he rejects it then, it’s on him, but all of this posturing isn’t making this less expensive. And if Cincy doesn’t think that they need it (hence why they’re not offering that money)…then yeah, trade him to someone who will make that offer. Rather silly, it seems. It’s not like Hendrickson hasn’t played well.
As for the comments about being a distraction…maybe Hendrickson really does feel that way, but fact is, it’s already a distraction. Unless Hendrickson or management somehow honestly thinks that team practices missing its two presumptive starting defensive ends with very public headlines following them all offseason somehow isn’t distracting, they already know it is, too. Not to mention the coaches having to adjust to who isn’t there and who is. Ship’s sailed on that one.
It just feels like none of this is a mystery – we’ve been hearing about it forever. Just give the guy enough of what he’s asking for, or trade him. It’s not that hard. Or at least it wasn’t, until it got to this point.
That’s what all the defenses of the Bengals seem to be missing. Even if it IS 100% Hendricksen’s fault, then Cincinnati had ample opportunity to shop him around and get the best offer to make him someone else’s problem. Like tons of teams have done before them, and tons of teams will after.
There was just no need to paint yourself into this corner. There’s no excuse for it at all.
The only reason FA’s want to go to 2/3’rds of the franchises is for the bag. Bengals are in the 2/3 of poorly ran teams.
Uh that doesn’t equal a full 32 teams. 2/3 + 2/3 does not = 3/3
Thank goodness you’re not an agent or a GM trying to negotiate contracts & guarantees. I mean, if 2 + 2 is difficult and all 😝
Bengals are such a crap organization
Burrow commenting how he’s disappointed is hilarious because they paid him and his 2 weapons top dollar. Teams can’t afford to pay every player top dollar to keep them, he’s in the wrong sport. MLB is where a team can buy championships.
Dodgers take offense to that assessment lol
They can be mad all they want it’s still the truth. They spend more in offseasons than other teams entire payrolls.
Expect one of the lowest payroll teams just went 6-0 vs them. (Brewers)
Granted, gotta do it in the playoffs for it to really matter.
His disappointment is totally understandable because he knows without Hendrickson, that defense won’t be able to stop a drain. Which makes the deals he and his “weapons” signed seem like just tire spinning.
Well, Burrow and “his weapons” didn’t worry about that when they expressed their money demands and they were met….crying about money after you’ve gotten yours is hypocritical to say the least…..exactly how much money is there…..there is a cap and if management bends, that means that other players will either be cap causalities or be offered far less than they are asking for…..Burrow…and his “weapons” should just shut up and play and let the team deal with a player who wants guaranteed payment for services going forward…..
Burrows being disappointed is certainly not “crying”. And the point remains. Without Hendrickson they’re not going anywhere.
Watt and Garrett both got over 100 guaranteed with Trey I think at 4 for 140 with 90 guaranteed you are at least close it’s all about the guarantees and I don’t blame the players one bit if they get hurt playing a violent sport the owners wouldn’t think twice about cutting them to save money
And if the Bengals can’t afford to pay him now, they probably should trade him for the best offer…..and, there are two sides to your coin about playing a violent sport….your comment and as a player, you’ve got to expect the potential for injury and the impact that might have on either you longevity in the league or your ability to be paid…….
Don’t like the current NFL contract structure?
Find another line of work
Here’s something: this IS the current NFL contract structure. People are acting like Hendricksen is the first guy ever to hold out/demand a restructure while multiple dudes did that this off-season, and do it every year.
Hold outs and restructures are a feature, not a bug. It just seems more dramatic with Cincinnati, because virtually every other team figures out a way to not get it to this point.
“Don’t like the current NFL contract structure?
Find another line of work”
Yeah, Hendrickson should just become a pipe-fitter. Go down to the Union hall and sign some papers. Ridiculous comment.
Ridiculous is negotiating and signing an agreement then holding out after performing well because you want an extension.
If you under perform can ownership refuse to pay you unless you take a pay cut? Actually, they can discard you and take the cap hit if your performance is horrendous.
It’s your job to perform to the best of your ability; that’s what you’re paid to do. When you achieve that benchmark, even if your surpass that benchmark, holding out for more because you literally did what you agreed to do, is easily the most ridiculous stance in professional sports.
If you went to work one morning and found out that several others who did the same job as you were given substantial raise and you weren’t, would you be ok with it because it was the pay you agreed to? And what if you over performed? Like Hendrickson?
I’d clock in and work and start looking for another job … but I’d clock in and work
Hendrickson is working out in Florida. And looking for another employer. As he has eve3ry right to do.
What incentive does he have to take an extension of 1 guaranteed season. He will get tagged, and that is probably worth more than the guarantees being offered by the bengals.
Not to mention, the market is only going to go higher when Hutchinson gets his bag and if parsons gets his. That franchise tag will probably be $40 million next year
I think people forget that these “players playing a violent sport” don’t have to play football for a living. They CHOOSE to play a violent game. It’s one thing to be forced into employment with a lack of safety equipment and OSHA oversight, it’s completely different when you make a conscious decision to enter into something that will most likely end up in broken bones, torn ligaments, and/or alter your body for the rest of your life. Trey or Shemar could walk away from the sport and use the college degree that they earned, but they choose not to. There are no guarantees in real life, if a regular person gets hurt and can’t perform the job they were hired for most likely they will be let go and replaced. Trey is 30+, an old man in a young man’s world and he needs to acknowledge this. Great players can age suddenly. Look at Tom Brady, are you going to tell me he was the same player in Tampa he was in Foxboro? If Trey believes he’s going to be as good three years down the road as he is now why does he want to stay in Cincinnati? Take their money for this year and go somewhere next year and make bank. He wants to get paid for what he’s done previously, not what he can do now or in 2 years. Sorry Trey, real life doesn’t work that way. I really hope he starts thinking for himself and not listening to his agent because he’s just getting older and if he skips training camp he’s going to not be in game shape and really look old, which won’t help his chances of getting 40+ million with his next team.
I’ve started a go fund me for Trey. ” Millionaire who has been treated badly by his employer. He’s only being offered 28 million by his employer when he wants 40 million. He believes he can’t survive without the extra 12 million to pay his bills He says he will not compromise his principles to play under the contract he has already signed, so he’s determined to hold out. Please send everything you can spare to help Trey keep his million dollar home, 6 cars and vacation home.” It’s the page between the kid who has cancer and the family who lost their father in a car accident and is being evicted. You hold on Trey, help is coming.
2
“Millionaire who has been treated badly by his employer.”
Can you start the one for the billionaire owners who cry poor when it comes to paying their employees fair market value? All of you keyboard jockeys with the hard line stances are the same. Shills for ownership, and in this case you’re shilling for the Cincinnati Bengals owners, for God’s sake.
“He’s only being offered 28 million by his employer when he wants 40 million. He believes he can’t survive without the extra 12 million to pay his bills”
Where’s the vitriol for the billionaire owners, who rake in far more in profits year after year but can’t break off a little extra for a player, or be bothered to even guarantee their contracts? What a ludicrous double-standard. A person (Hendrickson) is trying to maximize their earnings potential. In a capitalist society, you should be cheering that. Instead, your professional jealousy rears its ugly head and you take the side of ownership/management/corporate. Story as old as time.
Can’t force an employer to keep you on when they no longer need/want you. They said here’s two years at x amount of money, he wants 4 years and guarantees. Doesn’t work that way. Besides, he’s already signed for this year (2025) and he decided not to honor that contract. You do realize Mike Brown doesn’t own the team solely. There are dozens of people that own various percentages of the team. A lot of them are not millionaires and rely on dividends from the team for some income. What about those people? Not a keyboard jockey you ignorant sphincter hole. It’s called doing research and most people, you included, are to lazy to do anything but repeat what they’ve heard from other lazy people. Man I hate stupidity. Mike Brown is one of the poorest owners in the NFL, you should do your own research. Besides if Trey doesn’t like the terms he has an option. Retire. Also, do you not understand SATIRE? Or are you such a tight** that you take everything literally?
Come on Arthur Blank check make your move!
I’d be fired preseason as a GM
Way to go last season dude! What a performance! When it’s time to extend or to … wait, what’s that? You want an extension right now or you’ll hold out?
gtfo of my office and tell your agent to give me a call so I can start reaching out to other teams
Wait….I want guaranteed money just in case my performance falls off, or I get hurt and can’t contribute at all…..but isn’t that fair….No…..but we understand whey you are asking…..