Trey Hendrickson has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers since joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. As he enters the final year of his contract, the veteran edge rusher remains locked in a contract standoff with the team.
Hendrickson is holding out ahead of training camp as negotiations for a new deal have stalled. This impasse has sparked widespread speculation that Cincinnati may soon have to consider trading their star defender, with several playoff contenders already expressing interest.
Bills Emerge as Top Trade Destination for Bengals Star
Hendrickson signed a one-year extension at the end of the 2023 season, keeping him under contract through 2025. However, after his stellar performance over the past few years, he expected the Bengals to negotiate a long-term deal that reflects his market value.
The four-time Pro Bowler is set to make $16 million in 2025, but he has made it clear to the front office that he will not play under his current contract. Despite the Bengals having over $32 million in cap space, the two sides remain far apart on terms. Reports suggest Hendrickson has already rejected a $28 million offer from the Bengals.
His frustrations have become increasingly public. Hendrickson skipped the mandatory minicamp, resulting in more than $100,000 in fines. While star quarterback Joe Burrow has publicly advocated for Hendrickson to receive a new deal, NFL insider Adam Schefter recently reported that “they are not making any progress. They cannot even agree on the length of the deal right now; forget about the numbers.”
With negotiations at a standstill, a trade appears increasingly likely. According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, the Buffalo Bills have emerged as the most logical destination.
“The Buffalo Bills would be a fantastic fit for the edge rusher… While Buffalo doesn’t have much to offer in terms of draft capital, it doesn’t appear that teams are champing at the bit to send the Bengals a Day 1 pick for Hendrickson,” Kay wrote.
“If Cincy is willing to come down on a lofty asking price, the Bills shouldn’t hesitate to send over a Round 2 pick to add one of the best sack creators of the past half-decade and bolster their Super Bowl aspirations.”
Why Buffalo Makes Perfect Sense for Hendrickson Trade
The Bills’ defensive needs align perfectly with what Hendrickson brings. While Buffalo’s defense performed well last season, it lacked a dominant pass rusher. No Bills defender recorded double-digit sacks in 2024, highlighting an apparent weakness in their pass rush.
Only Gregory Rousseau managed double-digit tackles for loss, finishing with 16. The team did address this need by signing Joey Bosa to a one-year, $12.6 million deal this offseason. However, Bosa’s recent production raises questions about his ability to be the primary pass rusher Buffalo needs.
The last time he posted double-digit sacks was in 2021, while Hendrickson is coming off consecutive 17.5-sack seasons.
Trey Hendrickson #WhoDey
PAY THE MAN ALREADY pic.twitter.com/Gi8L9LAS78
— PassRushDiary🦅 (@PassRushDiary) July 3, 2025
Buffalo has consistently managed regular-season success under head coach Sean McDermott, but their postseason struggles are well-documented. Adding a proven pass rusher like Hendrickson could provide the edge they need to finally overcome Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in January.
From Hendrickson’s perspective, joining the Bills would offer him a legitimate chance to compete for his first Super Bowl ring. Given the tension between him and the Bengals organization, a fresh start with a perennial playoff contender could be exactly what both sides need.
However, one significant obstacle remains. The Bills currently have the lowest cap space in the league, making it challenging to absorb Hendrickson’s $16 million salary for the 2025 season. Buffalo must make several roster moves or restructure existing contracts to create financial flexibility.
As training camp approaches, the pressure continues to mount on Hendrickson and the Bengals to find a resolution. Whether that comes through a new contract or a trade to a team like Buffalo, one thing remains clear: this situation will likely be resolved soon, as neither side can afford to let it drag into the regular season.