All-Professional edge rusher Trey Hendrickson‘s contract dilemma with the Cincinnati Bengals appears to have taken a optimistic flip, with each side reportedly resuming discussions this weekend.
Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks final season with 17.5, voiced his displeasure over his contract scenario all offseason. He has one yr remaining on his present deal and is owed $16 million. He did not take part in any of the Bengals’ offseason, skipping out on the staff’s necessary minicamp practices this previous week and risking being fined as much as roughly $105,000 consequently.
The one time Hendrickson was seen for Cincinnati’s offseason program was throughout voluntary exercises in Might, when he expressed his disappointment with how the Bengals have been dealing with contract talks.
“We’ve tried to maintain it the least quantity private as doable, however in some unspecified time in the future on this course of it turns into private,” Hendrickson advised reporters on Might 13. “Being despatched 30 days earlier than necessary camp, or what number of ever days it’s, that if I don’t present up, I shall be fined, alludes to the truth that one thing received’t get carried out in that timeframe.
“The shortage of communication submit draft made it imminently clear to my social gathering — that means my spouse, my son and my agent, a small group of individuals — that this won’t work out.”
The 30-year-old Hendrickson has been a giant purpose for the Bengals’ sudden rise in recent times. After signing a four-year, $60 million deal to affix the Bengals in free company in the course of the 2021 offseason, Hendrickson has been named a Professional Bowler in every of the final 4 seasons. He has recorded not less than 14.0 sacks in three of his first 4 seasons in Cincinnati, recording 56.0 complete sacks since becoming a member of the Bengals.
Moreover, Hendrickson has additionally been good at producing stress. He had 83 pressures and was second in cross rush win price final season (24%). He is additionally completed within the prime 10 in cross rush win price amongst edge rushers in all 4 years he is been with the Bengals.
That is why Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expressed a want for Hendrickson to stay in Cincinnati for the lengthy haul when he was requested about his significance to the staff throughout minicamp.
“I feel anytime you have got nice gamers, you need them to be round,” Taylor mentioned. “That is only a determination he is bought occurring proper now, and we’ll hold specializing in the blokes which might be right here.”
Trey Hendrickson has statistically been amongst one of many NFL’s finest cross rushers since he joined the Bengals in 2021. (Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Photos)
Previous to the developments in current weeks, it was beforehand reported that the Bengals had allowed Hendrickson to debate a doable commerce and an extension with one other staff. However as the sting rusher market has exploded this offseason, Hendrickson stays with out a deal. His $16 million wage for the 2025 season pales compared to the contracts that Myles Garrett (4 years, $160 million), Danielle Hunter (one yr, $35.6 million) and Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million) have obtained this season.
The Bengals are additionally coping with a contentious contract scenario with edge rusher Shemar Stewart. Stewart, whom the Bengals chosen with their first-round choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, walked out of minicamp final week as he and the staff have struggled to come back to phrases on a deal. He additionally did not take part within the Bengals’ offseason program as Cincinnati is reportedly in search of so as to add language to the contract that may void assured cash in future years.
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