The Cincinnati Bengals and star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson have gone back and forth ever since the end of last season trying to settle their ongoing contract dispute.
Hendrickson has one year left on his current contract, which carries an $18.6 million cap hit in 2025.
And given the significant contracts handed out to some of the premier edge-rushers in the NFL this season — Myles Garrett ($40 million per year), Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million per year) — he believes it’s only fair he be paid more in line with the top players at his position after leading the NFL in sacks last season (17.5) and ranking second the year prior (17.5).
Hendrickson showed up to the Bengals facility on Tuesday for offseason workouts, and though he didn’t participate in any of the physical drills, he did loop reporters in on where he stands with the team amid their current negotiations, or lack thereof, while also send a stern message to the team’s front office.
“No,” Hendrickson said emphatically when asked if he will play next season under his current deal, adding: “I’m not going to apologize for the rates of the defensive ends being paid in the National Football League.”
Hendricks disclosed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the day prior that no communication has happened between his representation and the Bengals since the draft, which took place April 24-27.
That was until Monday when head coach Zac Taylor texted Hendrickson, informing him missing the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp next month would result in him being fined, which the 30-year-old defensive end seemingly took as a warning shot, prompting him to show up on Tuesday and sound off on his current employer.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“We've tried to keep it [as civil] as possible, but at some point in this process it's becomes personal,” Hendrickson told reporters. “Being sent 30 days before mandatory camp, or how many ever days it is, that if I don't show up I will be fined, alludes to the fact that something won't get done in that time frame.”
The Bengals currently have roughly $26.3 million in available cap space. If they were to extend Hendrickson, it would actually add $11.63 million to their cap space in 2025, according to Over the Cap.