Bengals Make Major Decision on Trey Hendrickson’s Contract Saga After 4-Time Pro Bowler Skips Minicamp

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The Cincinnati Bengals may not have fully solved their biggest offseason headache, but they’ve taken a step toward preventing it from spiraling further. Trey Hendrickson’s holdout had raised serious questions about whether the Bengals would be forced to move on from their defensive cornerstone. After leading the league in sacks last year, Hendrickson’s absence from minicamp was impossible to ignore.

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Contract Standoff Escalates, but Cincinnati Bengals Reopen Talks With Sack Leader Trey Hendrickson

Tensions had built steadily over the past two months, with the veteran edge rusher openly airing his frustrations. However, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on June 15 that the two sides have resumed dialogue — a sign that a resolution may still be on the table.

The renewed communication between Hendrickson’s camp and the Bengals front office comes at a critical time. Mandatory minicamp wrapped without Hendrickson in attendance, resulting in more than $100,000 in fines. The 30-year-old, entering the final year of his deal, remains firm in his stance: He wants a long-term extension that reflects his value as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.

Head coach Zac Taylor didn’t offer much detail but acknowledged Hendrickson’s value. “I think anytime you have great players, you want them to be around,” Taylor told reporters. “That’s just a decision he’s got going on right now, and we’ll keep focusing on the guys that are here.”

Quarterback Joe Burrow, often the team’s tone-setter, was asked if Hendrickson’s situation was a distraction. “Of course,” Burrow said. “Last year we had two, this year we have one, so it’s less. You’d love to have none, but that’s life in the NFL. We’re all supporting Trey, and we’d love for him to be back.”

Burrow’s comments reflect the broader sentiment inside the Bengals’ locker room — players understand the business side of things but recognize the importance of Hendrickson’s presence. He’s not only the leader of the defense but one of the most productive edge rushers in football. His 17.5 sacks in 2024 led the league, and his 43 total sacks over the last three seasons trail only Myles Garrett.

Garrett recently landed a massive extension from the Browns worth $40 million annually, a figure Hendrickson’s camp is undoubtedly aware of. By comparison, Hendrickson is due $16 million this year. While not every sack artist will command Garrett’s salary, the gap underscores why Hendrickson has pushed so hard for a renegotiated deal.

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The Bengals have been quiet about their broader contract priorities this offseason, but Hendrickson isn’t the only unresolved issue. First-round pick Shemar Stewart has yet to sign his rookie contract, reportedly due to disagreements over contract language. It’s another storyline that could carry into training camp if not resolved soon.

For now, the Bengals are hoping that resuming talks with Hendrickson is the first step toward securing their most important defender — and avoiding a summer-long standoff.

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