As the Cincinnati Bengals begin their 2025 training camp, defensive end Trey Hendrickson remains without a contract extension, deepening the ongoing Trey Hendrickson Bengals contract dispute. The reigning <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL sack leader has chosen not to attend camp, instead traveling to Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife, Alisa, while negotiations remain unresolved.
Hendrickson, who spent 30 days training at his Cincinnati home before camp, departed to avoid becoming a distraction to his teammates amid stalled talks. NFL insider Dianna Russini shared an exclusive update on his situation, noting that Hendrickson had been focused on maintaining his conditioning but left for Florida as camp approached.
EXCLUSIVE: Just spoke to Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is currently in Jacksonville, FL. For the last 30 days, he had been at his home in Cincinnati and training.
—Dianna Russini, NFL Insider
Russini reported that the 30-year-old Hendrickson received two contract offers within 24 hours, each failing to meet the player’s demand for more guaranteed money beyond the first year.
They received two offers in a 24-hour span, none containing the guarantees past the first year he was looking for,
—Dianna Russini, NFL Insider
Hendrickson and his wife decided to leave Cincinnati to avoid becoming a distraction during camp, though he has not stopped training since relocating.
Hendrickson didn’t want to hear the practice whistles while being a distraction to his teammates, so he and his wife, Alisa, decided to pack up and head to Florida.
—Dianna Russini, NFL Insider
Down in Jacksonville, Hendrickson continues to train, hoping that a deal can be worked out,
—Dianna Russini, NFL Insider
The eight-year veteran remains determined to reach an agreement to stay with the Bengals, expressing a willingness to accept less in some areas to make the deal happen.
I was more than willing to take less in some ways in order to make this work,
—Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Defensive End
Aside from the contract negotiations, Hendrickson is focused on assuming a leadership role on a young Bengals defense. He hopes to mentor newcomers such as rookie Shemar Stewart, following the example set by his own mentor, Cam Jordan.
I verbalized to the Bengals that I wanted to be a captain, to lead a young defense,
—Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Defensive End
And once rookie Shemar Stewart gets back at camp, I want to pass along the knowledge that I have, just like Cam Jordan once did for me.
—Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Defensive End
As I see it, Shemar and I are not competitors, we’re teammates. I’m excited to go to work with him when the time comes.
—Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Defensive End
Contract Dispute Deepens Over Guaranteed Money Concerns
The root cause of the ongoing disagreement appears to be the amount of guaranteed money in Hendrickson’s new contract. According to NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Bengals have only offered Hendrickson one year of guaranteed money, which falls short compared to other elite pass rushers who have secured longer guarantees.
This is an issue revolving around guaranteed money; the Bengals have been willing to offer only one year of it while other top pass rushers – Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt – have gotten three.
—Adam Schefter, NFL Insider
Elite pass rushers Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and TJ Watt all recently negotiated deals with three years of guaranteed money, highlighting the gap Hendrickson faces in his negotiations. This discrepancy has contributed to the prolonged contract talks and growing frustration.
Manti Te’o, a former second-round NFL draft pick, discussed Hendrickson’s stance during an appearance on Good Morning Football. Te’o emphasized that Hendrickson prioritizes financial security and is unsatisfied with the current offers.
He’s like, bro, ‘They are atrociously, atrociously low,
—Manti Te’o, Former NFL Linebacker
Despite his desire to remain with Cincinnati, Hendrickson’s frustration with the contract talks indicates a tense standoff that currently threatens his participation in the upcoming season.
Importance of Hendrickson’s Return for Bengals’ Defensive Prospects
Cincinnati’s defense struggled last season, ranking 28th on PFSN’s 2024 NFL Defense+ metric, emphasizing the need for key contributors like Hendrickson to return and lead a revitalized unit. Given the influx of new defensive players, Hendrickson’s experience and leadership could be crucial in shaping the team’s defensive identity.
The unsettled status of the Trey Hendrickson Bengals contract dispute leaves uncertainty over whether the two sides will reach a compromise before the 2025 season begins. If Hendrickson returns under acceptable terms, his role as a defensive captain could help guide younger teammates, strengthening the Bengals’ defensive outlook.
Negotiations are expected to continue in the coming weeks as training camp progresses, with both Hendrickson and the Bengals under pressure to resolve the contract impasse swiftly to avoid detriment to the team’s season preparations.