Despite paying both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Cincinnati Bengals are seemingly reluctant to ink star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a new contract.
Hendrickson issued a statement to ESPN today in which he criticized the Bengals for their contract offers before the draft and not actively negotiating an extension following the draft.
“No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft,” Hendrickson said, via ESPN's Adam Schefter. “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.”
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Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place 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… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025
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Hendrickson, who will turn 31 this season, is set to make $16 million this season, the final before he hits unrestricted free agency. While it has not been confirmed, reports have indicated the Bengals have offered Hendrickson a deal worth around $30 million per year. Based on Hendrickson's wording, it is unclear if the “vision” comment is a disagreement on the pay and/or length of the extension.
a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline">Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate NBA, NFL, and NCAA Football editor for ClutchPoints. Preston also works as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, and previously was a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.