As the Trey Hendrickson contract saga unfolds, the star pass-rusher has made it clear he would have been willing to accept a pay cut to help facilitate a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Speaking with Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Hendrickson stated, “I was more than willing to take less in some ways in order to make this work.” This willingness underscores his commitment to the team and hints at the complexities of contract negotiations in the NFL.
Hendrickson faces a tricky situation as he enters the final year of his current contract, set to earn $15.8 million in base salary. The dialogue surrounding his contract has been tense, as reports indicate that he received two offers from the Bengals that lacked the multi-year guaranteed money he was seeking. With training camp on the horizon, Hendrickson opted to travel to Florida, aiming to minimize distractions for his teammates during this pivotal time.
Back in May, he had made it abundantly clear that he would not don a Bengals jersey this season without a new deal in place. The crux of the negotiation deadlock appears to hinge on Cincinnati’s proposal of only a single year of guaranteed money—an offer that falls short when compared to fellow defensive stars like Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and T.J. Watt, all of whom secured contracts with three years of guarantees.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that the conversations between Hendrickson and the Bengals have been “very contentious.” However, Bengals owner Mike Brown remained optimistic when he stated, “I think it’ll get done,” regarding Hendrickson’s potential contract.
Looking back, the Bengals faced a disappointing season last year, missing the playoffs despite the high-octane performances of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Much of the blame was levied on the defense, which prompted the Bengals to select Texas A&M pass-rusher Shemar Stewart in the first round of the draft with hopes of creating a formidable pass-rushing duo with Hendrickson. Yet, as the situation stands, both players are currently holding out, and Stewart represents the only first-round acquisition from the 2025 draft yet to formally sign.
If the Bengals enter the new season without either of their premier pass-rushers, defensive concerns will surely mount. Hendrickson himself stood out amidst a lackluster season for the Bengals defense, finishing the 2024 campaign with an impressive league-high 17.5 sacks. Notably, this marked his second consecutive year tallying 17.5 sacks and earning selection to his fourth straight Pro Bowl.
Given his stellar performance and the escalating contracts of his peers, Hendrickson undoubtedly has his eye on a substantial new deal. However, both sides remain firmly entrenched as the stalemate drags on, leaving fans eager for resolution as the season approaches.
