Bengals' historical negotiation strategies resurface in renewed conflict with Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Holds Out Amid Contract Dispute
The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for their season opener against the Cleveland Browns, but one key player is missing from the roster – defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is holding out due to a contract dispute with the team.
Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 total sacks in 2024 (the second consecutive year he achieved this feat), is seeking a deal that reflects his value. The defensive end, who is represented by the NFL agency CAA Sports (Creative Artists Agency), has expressed a desire for contract security and certainty about his future with the team, beyond just recognition or accolades.
The Bengals' front office and Hendrickson are in a stalemate over the amount of guaranteed money in a multiyear extension. The team's owner, Mike Brown, has suggested a middle ground can be found, while director of player personnel Duke Tobin has also expressed optimism about resolving the dispute and getting Hendrickson active and contributing to the team.
The impasse over Hendrickson's contract is fast-approaching, as the season opener looms. The Bengals are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year, when Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins held out before signing record-setting deals, making them the highest-paid receiver pairing in the NFL.
The Bengals have not ranked in the top five of total cap allocation since 2016, but the team is working to sign Hendrickson and is confident a deal will be reached. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement requires teams to spend 89% of the available cap per year and 95% on average over a four-year period.
Hendrickson's absence from practice has not gone unnoticed. Before the Bengals' preseason game against the Washington Commanders, Hendrickson and Tobin were seen having a conversation on the field. The team's front office is also in negotiations with other players on the roster, including first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart.
If Hendrickson is unable to reach an agreement with the Bengals, a trade to another team may be on the horizon. The defensive end has made it clear that he wants a contract that resembles what the league's top pass rushers receive.
As the Bengals prepare for their season opener, the team and Hendrickson will need to find a resolution to this contract dispute. The future of one of the team's top defenders hangs in the balance.
