Tag: Hendrickson

One holdout defensive end is under contract, but there is still ground to gain in negotiations between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson, the NFL leader in sacks last season with 17.5, is training in Florida while Cincinnati gets ready for the regular season. The Bengals have made progress toward an agreement with the 30-year-old, but ESPN reported Monday the hangup over the amount of guaranteed money in the deal is significant.

NFL reporter Adam Schefter said during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday the two sides are OK with the length and total amount in the new contract. But he said there is between “$6 million and $10 million” difference in what the Bengals are offering in guarantees and what Hendrickson wants.

The Bengals finally had a breakthrough with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, their 2025 first-round pick who had been a holdout over contract language.

Hendrickson is subject to daily fines of $50,000 for missing training camp.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hendrickson has been seeking a long-term deal since last year and said in the offseason he was open to a trade if it meant being paid what he believes to be his true value.

At issue is Hendrickson’s $15.8 million salary in 2025, the last season on a four-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2021. The highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL are all making at least $34 million per season, with Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons also in line for a massive payday.

Hendrickson has indicated he won’t play without a bump in pay.

“When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, where it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction,” Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about whether he wants to remain with the Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow and multiple members of the front office have shown keen interest or become directly involved in contract negotiations between the Cincinnati Bengals and contract holdout Trey Hendrickson.

Mike Brown wields a different level of influence as the team president of the Cincinnati franchise. He’s wading into the matter as the Bengals and the NFL’s sack leader continue their staredown into the preseason.

“I think we are in a good spot. I hope this thing comes together soon. I’m just going to leave it at that,” Brown said in an interview with Bengals.com.

The optimism is welcomed by the team on the field.

Taylor, as head coach, and his face-of-the-franchise quarterback, Burrow, tried but failed to help break the ice during a frigid standoff that became clearer to the public when Hendrickson detailed the weight of the business discussion on personal relationships.

Brown told NFL Network his stance on the contract matter is “the sooner the better.”

At issue is Hendrickson’s $15.8 million salary in 2025, the last season on a four-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2021. The highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL are all making at least $34 million per season with Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons in queue for what is expected to be a massive payday.

Hendrickson has indicated he won’t play without a bump in pay and expressed disappointment in the process in mid-May.

“When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, where it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction,” Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about whether he wants to remain with the Bengals.

Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt nudged the market to a new level last week with a three-year deal averaging $41 million per season. The $123 million pact pushed Watt ahead of Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ($40 million), who jumped the line with a fully guaranteed contract he signed with Cleveland in March. Danielle Hunter (Texans, $35.6 million AAV) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders, $35.5 million) are one rung above 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa ($28 million)

Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons. He has 57 total sacks and four Pro Bowl selections in his four seasons with Cincinnati.

Hendrickson has 77 career sacks in 110 games (81 starts), divided equally between the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson received permission to seek a trade one year after the Cincinnati front office shot down the same request.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and has one year remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2023 with a base salaary of $15.8 million for 2025.

As part of a trade, Hendrickson is expected to sign a new contract given the lack of negotiations helped spark his latest demand.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby signed a record three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with Las Vegas announced on Wednesday in the latest signal of where the market could be headed for premium pass rushers. Crosby, 27, has 22 total sacks the past two seasons.

Cincinnati was angling to keep Hendrickson, personnel boss Duke Tobin said last week, who was named first-team All-Pro last season and has a league-high 35 sacks since the start of the 2023 season. In four seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 57 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” Hendrickson said in a statement on Thursday to ESPN. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”

Hendrickson had 61 quarterback hurries in the past two seasons and recorded 13-plus sacks in four of the past five seasons.

If the Bengals trade Hendrickson, they will need to replace their starting defensive ends from last season. Sam Hubbard, 29, retired earlier this week.

Multiple teams have been connected to Hendrickson rumors because of existing connections. The Chicago Bears, who employ former Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, are in the market for a pass rusher. Hendrickson spent the first four years of his career with the Saints. He could also be a target of the Indianapolis Colts, who hired Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator. Anarumo was Bengals defensive coordinator the past four seasons.

–Field Level Media