Bengals and Trey Hendrickson Restart Talks: Could a Blockbuster Contract Extension Be Near?

You can practically feel the tension crackling in the Cincinnati air as the Bengals cautiously reopen talks with Trey Hendrickson – the relentless edge rusher who’s been holding out for a deal that truly reflects his impact on the field. Now, I gotta admit, there’s a certain thrill watching this high-stakes dance unfold; Hendrickson’s absence from offseason workouts wasn’t just a silent protest—it was a bold statement. He’s not playing by the old script anymore, especially considering he’s eyeing a long-term commitment that matches his stellar track record. The fines piling up and that dramatic street clothes appearance at the May 13 workout? All signals fired off in a saga that’s rapidly evolving, with the Bengals trying to keep their star in the fold amid the whispers of stalemates elsewhere in the league. It’s a complex showdown involving not just one, but some of the NFL’s top edge rushers navigating the choppy waters of contract negotiations. And make no mistake—Hendrickson’s recent dominance, from four straight Pro Bowls to leading the league in sacks, demands a spotlight worthy of his efforts. The question hanging in the balance: will Cincinnati rise to the occasion, or will this simmering standoff reshape the defensive landscape entirely? LEARN MORE

He did show up to the team’s workout May 13, dressed in street clothes, to air his grievances about the Bengals’ “lack of communication.” The Bengals have resumed communication with Trey Hendricks as he seeks a long-term contract extension, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.Hendrickson made clear he will not play this season under his current deal. He is scheduled to make a base salary of .8 million with a salary cap hit of .6 million in 2025.Hendrickson skipped the entire offseason program. Hendrickson, who is under contract for 2025, now is subject to a ,459 fine for missing the first day, ,920 for the second day and ,374 for the third day for missing last week’s mandatory minicamp.Fowler characterized the conversions as delivering “some optimism” regarding the edge rusher’s future with the team.

Hendrickson has four consecutive Pro Bowls since joining the Bengals and has 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons. He earned All-Pro honors last season after leading the league in sacks.Hendrickson, 30, is one of three of the league’s best edge rushers looking for a long-term deal. Dallas’ Micah Parsons and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt also currently are in stalemates with their teams.