The ongoing Trey Hendrickson Bengals contract standoff has stretched on for nearly two months as training camp approaches, with no signs of resolution. Hendrickson, the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL sack leader, has maintained a firm stance against playing on his current deal, set to pay him $15.8 million in base salary for 2025.
While largely silent in recent weeks, Hendrickson recently broke his social media silence by posting a highlight video of his 17.5 sacks from last season, accompanied by a Bible verse urging strength and perseverance. This clear message suggests he remains steadfast in his demands as the Bengals prepare for veterans’ arrival at camp.
The root causes of the contract impasse
At the heart of the deadlock is Hendrickson’s push for a substantial pay raise reflecting recent market shifts among top NFL pass-rushers. Earlier in the year, the highest salary at his position was Nick Bosa’s $34 million annually, but newer contracts for Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million), Danielle Hunter ($35.6 million), and Myles Garrett ($40 million) have reset expectations upward.
Hendrickson is not necessarily demanding to be the highest-paid, but he clearly wants a deal that more than doubles his current $15.8 million base for 2025. Reports indicate the Bengals have offered up to $28 million per year, though it remains unclear if that offer has evolved since May.
Another significant sticking point is contract length. Hendrickson insists on a long-term agreement offering stability, while Cincinnati appears intent on a shorter deal—around two years—which Hendrickson firmly rejects.
We’re just not seeing eye-to-eye on the structure,
Hendrickson explained in May.
It seems that a shorter deal is something that they’re pushing pretty hard. That puts in the same place as I was in 2022, where I have to renegotiate the next year.
Having received only a one-year extension in 2023, Hendrickson wants to avoid another short-term patch that would force yearly renegotiations.
If … I’m playing at a better level than I was last year, then, next year, we’re just kicking the can down the road,
he said, stressing his preference for a more definitive agreement.
He also emphasized that a long-term deal would symbolize mutual respect between player and franchise.
That’s where my values lie and that also allows me to stop having to negotiation every offseason about something that has been almost four years of doing,
Hendrickson remarked.
This firm stance aligns with his recent social media post quoting 1 Corinthians 16:13:
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
The verse’s emphasis on standing firm reflects Hendrickson’s unwillingness to compromise easily.
Why the Bengals need to resolve this soon
The Cincinnati Bengals face growing pressure to finalize a contract with Hendrickson before training camp disruptions deepen. If they delay, the market may continue to escalate as fellow top pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons are expected to sign extensions shortly, potentially raising Hendrickson’s value further.
Prolonging this standoff risks not only financial strain but also possible distraction for the team, which has struggled with unsettled situations in previous seasons. Over their recent history, the Bengals have faced a pattern of slow starts due to training camp setbacks involving key players, including Joe Burrow’s ACL recovery in 2021, appendectomy in 2022, calf injury in 2023, and wrist ligament surgery in 2024.
Last year’s contract dispute with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase also weighed on team focus. These continual distractions have contributed to a poor 1-9 record during the first two weeks of seasons since drafting Burrow in 2020.
Given this context, the Bengals cannot afford additional distractions, especially with a defensive cornerstone like Hendrickson on the verge of camp. Securing contracts for Hendrickson and fellow defensive prospect Shemar Stewart would remove significant uncertainty from the team’s preseason preparations.
The uncertain future of the negotiation
Despite the urgency, both sides show little inclination to give ground, maintaining their firm positions. Hendrickson even requested a trade earlier this year, signaling his frustration, though a move now seems unlikely because trading him would weaken the Bengals’ defense and fail to improve their immediate prospects, even if it secured future draft assets.
Historically, the Bengals’ front office has been reluctant to yield in contract talks, and Hendrickson appears equally determined not to settle for less than what he believes he deserves. This standoff compounds the challenge heading into training camp, with less than a week before the veterans report.
Although Hendrickson has indicated willingness to miss games, it is hard to envision him sitting out for a prolonged period given his competitive nature and importance to the team. The next two weeks will likely be contentious, with both parties motivated to reach an agreement to avoid disruption once the season begins.
Ultimately, while the exact timing is unclear, it seems probable that the Bengals and Hendrickson will reach a deal before the season starts, ending the impasse that has loomed over the franchise as training camp nears.