One of the more interesting storylines of the 2025 NFL offseason has been the standoff between the Cincinnati Bengals and star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, who will make $15.8 million on the final year of his deal, has been seeking a new contract since at least last year and his numbers say he certainly deserves it. No player in the NFL has more sacks than Hendrickson since 2023, and he led the league in that category with 17.5 in 2024.
With production like that, Hendrickson should be making $30 million per year, at least. However, the Bengals are not coughing up the dough that easily and are reportedly offering around $28 million per, which isn’t going to get it done.
With the standoff between the two sides continuing and seemingly having no end in sight, FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano predicts Hendrickson will be on the trade block when the NFL draft rolls around.
After shelling out huge money for receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, not to mention quarterback Joe Burrow, most people believed the Bengals wouldn’t splurge on Hendrickson. But apparently they’re trying to keep the runner-up in the Defensive Player of the Year voting who’s had back-to-back 17.5-sack years. Hendrickson requested a trade to force the issue, and was granted permission to seek one. But so far nothing has happened, and the Bengals haven’t given up hope. Getting the right trade offer during the draft, though, could be their breaking point on the stalemate. He might be the betting favorite to be moved in the next few weeks.
The Bengals have already granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, but they have also reportedly had a massive asking price that has “turned off” suitors, so the team isn’t letting go of him that easy.
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Recently, Hendrickson expressed frustration with the communication level between his camp and the Bengals, which only pushes this situation in the direction of a trade even more.
“Through this process, communication, when I say it’s been poor, it’s been, like, here and there,” Hendrickson said. “And respect to Ja’Marr and Tee. I don’t want to take anything from all the great things they’ve accomplished in their careers. They deserve everything that they’ve gotten, and no doubt in my mind they’re going to excel in the National Football League. I have a tremendous respect for both of them. But when it comes to my situation, it would have been nice to know in some ways, like, ‘Hey we’re going to put you in the queue,’ no problem with me.”
At some point, the Bengals have to put up or shut up, and considering their need to improve the defense, they should be putting up because Cincinnati can ill-afford to lose its best defender if it wants to chase a Super Bowl in 2025.
However, until Hendrickson signs on the dotted line, a trade remains very possible.
