Bengals Still Hoping To Sign Trey Hendrickson To An Extension
Despite just giving lucrative long-term contract extensions to both wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals hope to get something done with All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson despite granting him permission to seek a trade, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Quarterback Joe Burrow publicly pushed for the team to sign Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson and tight end Mike Gesicki earlier this offseason, and Hendrickson is the only one that remains without an extension. It's not going to be easy for Cincinnati since the 30-year-old Hendrickson is going to command top dollar after recording 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons as one of the best sack artists in the NFL. Hendrickson is in the final year of his deal with the Bengals in 2025 but understandably wants a new deal after recording 35 sacks the last two years.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson might not be headed out of town quite yet. The four-time All-Pro requested a trade after the two sides failed to come to terms on an extension. Hendrickson seemed ready to leave Cincinnati, but there has been communication between the two sides in recent days. The Bengals also need to worry about locking up Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but they believe they can free up enough money to keep Hendrickson happy. Last season, Hendrickson recorded 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks across 17 games with the Bengals. His departure would certainly be a significant blow to the Bengals defense.
Teams Finding Bengals' Asking Price On Trey Hendrickson To Be "Ridiculous"
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that teams are willing to pay Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson what he desires on a new contract, but they have found the Bengals' current asking price for him in a trade to be "ridiculous," according to one general manager. As of right now, Cincy's asking price on the NFL's reigning sack leader is too high, but there is time for the Bengals to adjust as the offseason progresses. It's understandable that the Bengals are asking for a lot for Hendrickson, who has recorded 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons as one of the best pass-rushers in the league. But interested teams are not only going to have to give up a haul of draft picks but also pony up on a large contract that will likely make the 30-year-old one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league. Don't rule out the possibility of Cincy retaining Hendrickson.
The Washington Commanders are one of many NFL teams exploring a potential trade for Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sources tell The Athletic's Dianna Russini. The Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade last Thursday as he seeks a long-term contract extension as he heads into the final year of his deal in 2025. An NFL executive said the Bengals are looking for "significant trade compensation in return." The 30-year-old veteran led the league with 17.5 sacks last year and also recorded 17.5 sacks in 2023, so it's certainly going to take a lot to pry him away from the Bengals. Cincy would love to sign Hendrickson to a long-term extension, but they are also trying to do the same with both star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Washington has plenty of salary cap space this year and is expected to make a splash on the defensive side of the ball.
The Arizona Cardinals have inquired about Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, a source told PHNX Sports' Johnny Venerable. Hendrickson still has one year left on his current deal with the Bengals, but last year's NFL sack leader wants a new deal. The Bengals gave the 30-year-old veteran permission to seek a trade this week, and plenty of teams figure to be interested. In addition to Arizona, the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons are expected to have interest in the All-Pro pass-rusher this offseason. The Cardinals make a lot of sense, as their defense ranked 15th in the league in sacks per game. Wherever Hendrickson is playing in 2025, he'll be one of the first players taken in IDP fantasy drafts. The former third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic has made the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons and has 17.5 sacks in each of the last two years.
Bengals Grant Trey Hendrickson Permission To Seek A Trade
The Cincinnati Bengals have granted All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade this offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "It's been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years," said Hendrickson, the NFL's sack leader. "I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options." The Bengals are trying to sign Hendrickson and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to contract extensions this offseason, but that was always going to be a tall task. The 30-year-old Hendrickson is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 but wants a new contract after leading the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024. Of the trio of stars that the Bengals hope to keep, Hendrickson was always viewed as the least likely to stay. He has 35 sacks the last two years and will be a high-end defensive lineman in IDP leagues, regardless of where he's playing.
Trey Hendrickson Wants A New Contract Or To Be Traded
During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show during Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson indicated that either a new deal or a trade are the only viable options for him moving forward. Hendrickson is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 after leading the NFL in sacks (17.5), which earned him an All-Pro selection. This really isn't nothing new, as the 30-year-old star pass-rusher stated his desire for a new contract last year after a failed trade request. He also had 17.5 sacks in 2023. All four of Hendrickson's seasons in Cincy have resulted in Pro Bowl appearances, but he currently ranks 11th in annual salary among edge rushers. The Bengals have said that Hendrickson is a priority this offseason, but they will also be negotiating a bit-time contract extension for receiver Ja'Marr Chase and could be looking to re-sign receiver Tee Higgins as well.
Bengals Unsure On Long-Term Deal For Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals defense end Trey Hendrickson hoped to sign a contract extension or be traded last offseason, but the two sides did not come to an agreement. After two straight 17.5-sack seasons, his asking price is likely even higher, but the front office might have trouble signing him to a long-term deal. "Has he earned a pay raise and a bump in an extension he has," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. "We're cognizant of that, and we will give that to him. But whether we agree on what that looks like is, is what is to be determined." Cincinnati has already signed quarterback Joe Burrow to a hefty long-term deal, and both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are seeking new deals heading into 2025. "We can't have guys at the top of the payroll in every position, right?" Tobin said. "We'll do what we can." It's a tricky situation to navigate for the franchise, but it's unlikely that Hendrickson, Chase, and Higgins will all be signed to deals making them among the highest-paid players at their respective positions.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck, personal) will play on Sunday night against the Chargers. The 29-year-old was listed as questionable after missing practice on Thursday and Friday. But it's certainly good news for Cincinnati, considering the Bengals defense has struggled, allowing 26.2 points per game throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (personal, neck) has traveled to Los Angeles and is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old had been listed as questionable but is now trending in the right direction after the Bengals summoned him to travel separately and join them out west. Hendrickson has 28 tackles and 11 sacks so far this year, putting him near the must-start range in IDP formats.
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