Hendrickson’s future with Bengals tied to contract talks.
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Trey Hendrickson on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Trey Hendrickson wants a Super Bowl ring for the Cincinnati Bengals, regardless of where he plays next season.
During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks this season, talked about his contract situation. The All-Pro defensive end is under contract for another year but hinted that a new deal or trade might be the only paths forward. This comes after his failed trade request last offseason.
Hendrickson’s top-tier performance demands recognition
Hendrickson dominated the league this year with 17.5 sacks, earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod since joining the Bengals in 2021. Despite being a consistent playmaker, he ranks 11th in average annual salary among edge rushers, according to Roster Management System data. His current deal runs through next season, but Hendrickson feels his value should reflect his impact.
“If it’s something we can agree on in terms, that would be great. Ideally, my wife and I would love to stay in Cincinnati,” Hendrickson said. “If it’s something that helps the Bengals win the Super Bowl, if they get picks or anything like that, I want to help win a Super Bowl for Cincinnati, whether I’m there or not.”
The Bengals’ stance on Hendrickson’s future
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin expressed interest in extending Hendrickson but tempered expectations due to payroll constraints.
“We would like to get Trey extended? Yes, he’s an important part that played well for us, right? We can’t have guys at the top of the payroll in every position, right? We’ll do what we can… and try to get Trey re-signed,” Tobin told The Cincinnati Enquirer.
However, Hendrickson revealed that he only found out about these comments through a text from his father.
“I would have preferred to kind of heard it differently than my dad texting me a tweet. That would have been great to figure it out that way,” Hendrickson said.
Super Bowl or bust?
Hendrickson, now 30, remains focused on one thing—winning a championship. He emphasized that offseason discussions are the right time for contract negotiations, avoiding distractions during team activities like OTAs and training camp.
“During the season… you don’t want to become a distraction for the team. Because, inevitably, the goal is to win a Super Bowl for Cincinnati,” Hendrickson explained.
The Bengals have more decisions ahead. Ja’Marr Chase, who just secured the receiving triple crown and a first-team All-Pro spot, is pushing for an extension. Wide receiver Tee Higgins, who played on the franchise tag last season after a trade request, also expects a long-term deal.
Hendrickson remains hopeful that he and his teammates can stay together to chase a championship.
“If we’re all there, that’s the ideal [situation],” Hendrickson said.
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(Image: Imagn Images)
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