The monthslong (perhaps yearslong) Trey Hendrickson contract saga in Cincinnati has reached a conclusion — for 2025, at least. With less than two weeks remaining before the Bengals’ opener, a deal is in place.
Hendrickson and the Bengals are in agreement on a revised contract, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. After Rapoport and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicated the sides were close, it appears this endless chapter is complete. This is being described as a “big” 2025 raise, per NFL.com, potentially pointing to a short-term resolution — rather than the long-term deal with significant guarantees Hendrickson sought.
Earlier today, a report surfaced indicating the Bengals and Hendrickson had resumed talks. The Bengals had long been willing to give Hendrickson a high AAV on a short-term agreement, but the 30-year-old pass rusher had understandably sought a guarantee package that provides better long-term security. It does not appear the D-end will land what he wants, and Rapoport points to a 2025 raise being the compromise here.
Hendrickson was already tied to a $15.8MM 2025 base salary this year. That had been in place as part of a one-year extension agreed to in 2023. Hendrickson said he agreed to that extension in fear of being franchise-tagged in 2025. With the Bengals’ Tee Higgins matter taking two offseasons to resolve, no tag was available. And Hendrickson, despite seeing T.J. Watt land a $108MM full guarantee on a three-year deal, appears to be prepared to hit free agency in 2026. Even as the Bengals observed the Steelers break their guarantee structure for Watt, the Bengals do not appear to have budged with Hendrickson.
More to come.