Trey Hendrickson is looking to become the next star player to land a lucrative contract extension from the Cincinnati Bengals, and it sounds like he is willing to go to extreme lengths to accomplish that goal.
The Bengals signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to four-year contract extensions on Sunday. Chase will make roughly $40M per year with $112M guaranteed. The annual salary makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Higgins’ deal is worth $115M, with the first two years fully guaranteed.
Hendrickson was given permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, but the Bengals have reportedly had discussions with his representatives about an extension. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “NFL Live” Wednesday that the two sides are not close to a deal, however.
Hendrickson is said to be seeking more than $30M per year. He wants to be traded if the Bengals are not willing to give him that much money. The defensive end also has not ruled out refusing to play next season.
“I do know this: I’ve heard this from several circles. Sometimes you hear players say, well like, I’ll just sit out this year, and it’s posturing. I actually think he would strongly consider sitting out and possibly do it if they don’t get a deal done. Because $16M this year is just not quite enough compared to where it should be,” Fowler said, via Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hendrickson had 35 sacks over the past two seasons. He had 17.5 sacks each season and finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting this year. He is owed $15.8M in 2025, which is the final year of his contract.
You can understand why Hendrickson wants to become one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL, as his production backs it up. He has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with Cincinnati and has 57 sacks since he joined the team.
