It’s not even a Bengals-related move, but it can heavily impact the Bengals All-Pro edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been very adamant about where he stands in his contract dispute.
Hendrickson has cited the deals that Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby and Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett have gotten this offseason as to why he believes he is worth that money.
The NFL’s sack leader last year is absolutely justified, given that Garrett, like Hendrickson, has played eight seasons in the NFL and Crosby has played six. Two players who have played either the same number of seasons or close to that number and have had similar production levels have both gotten huge deals to raise the edge rusher market. It’s absolutely reasonable for Hendrickson, who has 35 sacks over the last two seasons, to think he should be worth that much money as well.
Here’s the thing, though, for Hendrickson. It’s not those two players’ deals that are going to determine how his contract dispute situation plays out. It’s actually what will happen with Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson that will heavily determine how much money Hendrickson gets.
Crosby and Garrett raised the edge rusher market. They did not, though, reset it. Hutchinson will, regardless of what his deal will end up being.
Look at the Raiders and Browns. Those teams and organizations are messes. They had to pay their respective star edge rushers to have at least one player of their caliber on their teams for marketing purposes. Those teams’ fanbases need a player to get excited about, and that’s what Crosby is to the Raiders, and Garrett is to the Browns. That’s why both of them got a lot of money this offseason. It wasn’t just because of how good they are. Marketing purposes and fan engagement have played a big role as well.
The Lions are in a much different position. Their organization is now one of the best in the NFL. Last offseason, they paid three offensive stars in quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell. Like the Bengals have done with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Lions have rewarded their star power on offense with big contract extensions.
Also, like the Bengals, the Lions will have a decision to make when it comes to their star edge rusher in Hutchinson. With a lot of money committed to their star players on offense and more offensive players eligible for extensions next offseason, how much money will the Lions be able to commit to Hutchinson? In addition, will Hutchinson’s injury last year impact how much money he gets?
There’s no doubt Hutchinson will get an extension with the Lions. He has been at the epicenter of the Lions’ rebuild. Not only that, but Hutchinson is a Michigan man to the core. He grew up in Detroit, played for Michigan when Jim Harbaugh was the head coach, and was the No. 2 overall pick by the Lions in 2022.
Hutchinson has more than lived up to the hype he had coming out of college, with 28.5 sacks through his first three seasons. He had 7.5 sacks in five games last season before a devastating leg injury ended his season. His 7.5 sacks had him on pace for 25.5 sacks for a 17-game season. Whether or not Hutchinson would have reached that number of sacks, there’s no denying how great of a player he already is. I contend that had he not gotten hurt last season he would have won Defensive Player of the Year.
But Hutchinson’s injury and all of the talent the Lions have on offense could impact how much money he actually gets.
Let’s say his deal is in the mid-30s per year. The Bengals probably aren’t going to match that money per year. Hendrickson is nearly six years older than Hutchinson. So when Katie Blackburn says that Hendrickson should be happy with what she and the front office are offering him, like reportedly $28 million per year, she’s actually right.
Now, let’s say Hutchison’s deal ends up being in the high 20s and low 30s per year. It would be that value because of the money the Lions have already given to their star offensive players. Not to mention, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta are eligible for contract extensions next year. In addition, players like linebacker Jack Campbell and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on defense are going to be eligible for contract extensions. That’s why the Lions could give Hutchinson a deal that still allows them to pay other key players.
This would hopefully make Hendrickson see that what the Bengals are offering him is actually good and still up to par with the edge rusher market. Again, Crosby’s and Garrett’s deals did not reset the edge rusher market. Their deals are worth a lot because the teams they play for and their organizations need to pay them each a lot of money to give their respective fanbases something to be excited about.
Hutchinson’s deal will be different because the Lions have so many players already paid and a lot more that will be eligible for contract extensions next offseason. It’s a very similar situation to the Bengals, who have paid their big three offensive stars plus tight end Mike Gesicki. How much money can the Bengals commit to Hendrickson? It’s why Hutchinson’s deal will be the one that ultimately resets the edge rusher market, and it could have a heavy impact on how Hendrickson’s contract dispute plays out.
