Trey Hendrickson
Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Bengals have been busy striking expensive contract extensions with a pair of their superstars this offseason, but what about Trey Hendrickson? Unlike Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who already received extensions worth over $100 million, Hendrickson requested a trade earlier this offseason, but he hasn’t gotten a new contract.
Hendrickson’s coming off an All-Pro season in which he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He’s surely in high demand, yet no resolution has been reached. Now we have a better idea of what’s been going on in discussions between the Bengals and their four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.
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Trey Hendrickson: Cincinnati Bengals’ contract extension communication has been poor and frustrating
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
For now, Trey Hendrickson is set to enter the final year of his contract, where he’ll have an $18.6 million cap hit. Yet, after seeing other pass-rushers get contracts worth $40 million in annual average value, Hendrickson is clearly worth much more.
However, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn believes Hendrickson will eventually need to just “be happy at some point.”
“I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at. I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he’s not, you know, that’s what holds it up sometimes. So, you know, it takes him to say yes to something, and also, we have all the respect in the world for him. He’s been a great player. We’re happy to have him. And so maybe we’ll find a way to get something to work. We’re just gonna see where it goes.”
Bengals EVP Katie Blackburn on Trey Hendrickson
The Bengals haven’t been able to agree on contract value with their 30-year-old pass-rusher. However, part of that reason could be because they’re not even communicating directly with Hendrickson’s agent.
In fact, during Hendrickson’s Wednesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, he made critical remarks about the Bengals’ front office due to how they’ve handled his contract negotiations.
“Communication has been poor over the last couple of months. That’s something I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly. It’s been something that’s been a little bit frustrating.”
Trey Hendrickson on contract negotiations with Cincinnati Bengals
"Those comments from Katie Blackburn were definitely disappointing & communication has been poor over the last couple of months..
It's been a little bit frustrating & if they have anything they'd like to discuss we're definitely willing to listen" ~ Trey Hendrickson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/C9PUdfKewj
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 2, 2025
Clearly, this situation has a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out before Hendrickson takes the field in 2025. Based on his comments, it’s possible a trade could still be coming.
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