Hendrickson Contract: Bengals & Pass Rusher Deal
- Despite a recent minicamp holdout and earlier trade rumors, the Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson are likely to agree on a contract extension.
- While the Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade in March and dialog appeared strained in May, the team seems unwilling to let go of the NFL's...
- Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns secured a four-year, $160 million extension, averaging $40 million annually.
Get the full story: Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals are poised to reach a contract extension agreement,despite recent holdouts,as the Bengals aim to secure their star defensive end. The Bengals are working to extend Hendrickson’s contract, a deal that may surpass $28 million per season. News regarding the Bengals’ pass rusher, including insights into the market set by deals like Myles Garrett’s and Maxx Crosby’s, is available now. The team is balancing Hendrickson’s value against salary cap dynamics, a move that might see him skipping training camp as negotiations progress. As an inevitable result, this contract situation is making waves within the NFL. Find out how recent deals influence Cincinnati’s decisions. News Directory 3 is your source for breaking sports stories. Will a deal be reached before the season opener? Discover what’s next …
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson Likely to Agree on Contract Extension
Updated June 16, 2025
Despite a recent minicamp holdout and earlier trade rumors, the Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson are likely to agree on a contract extension. Hendrickson, seeking a significant raise above his $15.8 million base salary for 2025, incurred nearly $105,000 in fines for missing the mandatory minicamp last week.
While the Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade in March and dialog appeared strained in May, the team seems unwilling to let go of the NFL’s reigning sack leader. cincinnati reportedly offered an average of $28 million per season,a figure likely to increase given recent contracts for top-tier defensive ends.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns secured a four-year, $160 million extension, averaging $40 million annually. Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders inked a three-year, $106.5 million deal, averaging $35.3 million per season. These deals have reset the market for elite pass rushers, putting pressure on the bengals to increase their offer to Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, who turns 31 this year, is coming off a season where he recorded 17.5 sacks and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. With four consecutive Pro Bowl selections and consistent double-digit sack numbers, this contract represents a career-defining moment for the veteran defensive end. The Bengals are navigating a tricky situation, balancing Hendrickson’s value with their overall salary cap strategy. The Bengals’ history shows they don’t easily give away money.
Currently, four defensive ends average over $30 million per season: Garrett, Crosby, Danielle Hunter of the Houston Texans ($35.6 million), and Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers ($34 million). Milton Williams of the New England Patriots rounds out the top five at $26 million annually. Hendrickson’s new deal is expected to surpass Williams’ figure but likely fall short of the Crosby and Bosa benchmarks.
What’s next
Expect Hendrickson to potentially skip training camp as negotiations continue. A resolution could extend into September, potentially coinciding with the Bengals’ season opener against Garrett and the Browns on Sept. 7. The Bengals have a history of late deals, as seen with Joe Burrow’s extension in 2023 and Ja’Marr Chase’s deal in March. Hendrickson is likely to sign a lucrative deal, possibly in September, following a pattern of high-profile bengals contract negotiations.