Trey Hendrickson Says He Won't Play Without A New Contract
When asked by Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. if he envisions any scenario where he will play in 2025 on his current deal, All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson said, "No." Although Hendrickson is present for the team's voluntary practice on Tuesday, he voiced his displeasure with the team's lack of communication with him on a potential long-term contract extension since the NFL draft in late April. The 30-year-old said that the Bengals have been pushing a short-term extension with Hendrickson after giving him permission to seek a trade back in March. It doesn't sound like Hendrickson is interested in a short-term deal, and this situation could get even messier if no progress is made closer to the start of the regular season this fall. Hendrickson has a $15.8 million base salary for 2025 after recording 17.5 sacks in each of the last two years.
Trey Hendrickson Attends Practice Tuesday, Not In Uniform
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was seen arriving at the team facility prior to Tuesday's voluntary workout. However, he was not in uniform, and there was no indication that he would take the field for practice. Instead, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Hendrickson is in Cincinnati so that he can speak with the media about his ongoing contract saga. Earlier this week, Hendrickson released a statement claiming that the Bengals have not shown interest in engaging in extension talks since last month's NFL Draft. This development prompted fans and media to criticize the Bengals, who are certainly better when Hendrickson is on the field. One of the best defensive players in the NFL, Hendrickson registered 17.5 sacks last season, made the Pro Bowl, and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Trey Hendrickson Hasn't Had Communication With Bengals Recently
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson said there hasn't been any communication with the team regarding a potential long-term contract extension "between my camp and the organization post draft." "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that's hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals," Hendrickson said in a statement. The Bengals continue to say they want to bring the 30-year-old back as he enters the final year of his current deal, but they've done nothing to back that up. It appears Hendrickson is running out of patience.
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson said on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that he's not looking for a short-term deal from Cincinnati and began asking for a long-term deal from the Bengals with guaranteed money three years ago. Hendrickson, who has the third-most sacks in the NFL since 2020 (70.5), sounds frustrated that he hasn't been able to get an extension worked out with the Bengals yet, but he's not willing to put a timeline on when he might prefer a trade out of town this offseason. The 30-year-old said he doesn't have any desire to become the highest-paid defender in the league, but the communication of late with him and the team has been poor. He sounds fed up, but in all fairness, it was always going to be hard for Cincy to lock up all three of Hendrickson and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals. It doesn't sound like a Hendrickson extension is close.
Bengals Still Working On Contract Extension With Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor called defensive end Trey Hendrickson a premier pass-rusher in the NFL and that the team is still working to sign him to a long-term contract extension this offseason. The Bengals gave Hendrickson, who is entering the final year of his current deal in 2025, permission to seek a trade in early March but also say they'd love to keep him around. It won't be easy, though. Not only will the 30-year-old command a new deal that should make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL, but the Bengals also recently locked up both receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals. If it looks like the sides are too far apart in the lead-up to this month's NFL draft, the Bengals could decide to trade Hendrickson, who has a whopping 35 sacks the last two years, to bolster their draft capital for this year and down the road.
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.
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