The latest on Trey Hendrickson’s contract talks with the Bengals (and some trade interest)

There is still time, though.

The Cincinnati Bengals have inked star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to contracts that will keep them in Cincinnati for the next several years.

The only big name left on the list they need to work something out with is defending sack leader Trey Hendrickson, who has requested a trade if he can’t get an extension that reflects how dominant he’s been in Cincinnati.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler joined SportsCenter on Sunday to share his insight into the situation.

“He has no intention of playing under his current contract, which has one year and $16 million left. He needs a new deal, but the Bengals have simply not shown an eagerness to trade Hendrickson,” he said, per Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp. And there’s interest, there is trade interest from other teams trying to make this work, but it would take a really hefty trade package. Teams aren’t willing to do that and pay Hendrickson right now.

“So, as much as I want to go with the field, I still think they can work something out, Hendrickson and the Bengals, on a new deal. It’s been stagnant of late, it’s sort of stalled, but they have a couple of months at least to try to shake this out and get a new deal done.”

However, NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport shared a more positive update during a Monday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

“I think his next contract is going to be above $30 (million per year),” Rapoport said of Hendrickson’s next contract. “Is it going to beat Max Crosby ($35 million per year deal)? I don’t know, but it’s going to be above $30 (million). I know the Bengals are working on it, and I know they would like to keep him in the building.

“They would like to pay him, and I think they would like people to stop saying, ‘Why don’t the Bengals pay their guys,’ because they do, and I think getting Hendrickson done at a money and a value that makes sense for both sides will be a great way for the Bengals to be like ‘See!!’”

In the event Hendrickson is traded, Rapoport said that the Indianapolis Colts are interested, which makes sense after they hired Lou Anarumo this offseason.

Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21,000,000 extension with the Bengals in July of 2023. It included an $8 million signing bonus, $8 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $21 million, per Spotrac, and his base salary in 2025, as it currently stands, is $15.8 million. That makes him the 12th highest-paid edge rusher in the league.

The team gave him the rare approval to seek a trade, but so far there haven’t been any serious offers. As we get closer to the draft, hopefully the Bengals and Hendrickson figure out a deal that works for both sides. Considering Hendrickson’s age, sitting out may not be an option, but a very public and messy negotiation wouldn’t be ideal for anyone.

If the two sides can’t come to an agreement, it’s also possible that time erodes what the Bengals are willing to accept for Hendrickson, or it could bolster what other teams are willing to give. It seems, at least for now, we’re in for more than nothing between the franchise and the league’s best pass rusher.

Stay tuned as this story develops.