The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a full-blown offseason crisis—and it’s not about Joe Burrow’s health or Tee Higgins’ future. It’s Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s 2024 sack leader, threatening to sit out unless the front office pays up.
With OTAs underway and no deal in sight, Trey Hendrickson has gone public, slamming the organization for “broken promises” and radio silence after the NFL Draft. Now, with Super Bowl contenders like the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears circling, the Bengals must answer a $40 million question: Will they pay their star pass rusher—or risk watching their defense collapse before training camp even begins?
Key Highlights:
- NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson is threatening to sit out 2025 unless the Bengals offer a contract matching elite edge rusher market value.
- Despite OTAs starting, Trey Hendrickson remains sidelined, publicly calling out the front office for “broken promises” and post-draft silence.
- Joe Burrow has thrown full support behind Trey Hendrickson, saying he “deserves to get paid what the market is”—a direct message to team management.
- The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears are circling as potential trade suitors, with Trey Hendrickson eyeing long-term security over short-term deals.
- With Zac Taylor’s defense already ranked 25th in 2024, losing Trey Hendrickson could unravel the Bengals’ playoff hopes before training camp begins.
Trey Hendrickson’s Contract Dispute: A $40 Million Power Play
And, it’s getting loud in Cincinnati, but not from pads hittin’ or fans cheering. Nah—this noise? It’s Trey Hendrickson flexin’ his worth and telling the Bengals front office: “Pay me like a problem, or I’m sittin’ out.”
The calm before training camp in Cincinnati has turned into a storm cloud hanging over Zac Taylor’s defense.
In the heart of the Queen City, a contract dispute involving Trey Hendrickson—arguably the Cincinnati Bengals’ most feared defender—has emerged as one of the biggest NFL rumors of the offseason. And with two NFC North teams, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, reportedly circling, the Bengals find themselves staring down a potential massive blow to their already fragile defense.
Let’s rewind the tape real quick. Hendrickson, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound pass-rush artist who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, is making headlines not for what he’s doing on the field—but for what he might not do at all.
NFL RUMORS: The #Bengals have REPORTELY offered DE Trey Hendricks a deal worth $28M per year. “Hendrickson is due to make $16 million this year.
There have been rumors that the #Bears and #Lions have strong interest. pic.twitter.com/A9KoD8jcDs
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 22, 2025
“Hendrickson is due to make $16 million this year,” a league source confirms, yet the Bengals’ star has made it clear: he’s not suiting up unless the contract reflects his worth.
According to multiple insiders, the Bengals’ front office has floated a new offer close to $28 million per year, but Hendrickson’s camp is reportedly aiming for the same pay scale as Myles Garrett, who’s sitting on a $40 million valuation.
The message? “He will not play the upcoming season under its terms,” another insider noted.
You hear that? That’s not a holdout. That’s a power play.
This isn’t a routine holdout. It’s a 3D chess match being played in the trenches, with Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow, and new DC Al Golden caught in the middle.
To grasp the magnitude of this standoff, you need to understand who Trey Hendrickson is.
In a league that measures greatness in hits and hurries, Hendrickson isn’t just producing — he’s dominating.
His Week 9 eruption against the Raiders? Four sacks, seven pressures in under three seconds. Then came Week 18 versus the Steelers? 3.5 sacks, including a one-handed takedown of Russell Wilson that had NFL Twitter in meltdown mode, “Put that man in the Louvre!”
Yet despite his production—four straight Pro Bowls, 77 career sacks, and a tied franchise record with Coy Bacon—Hendrickson’s current $15.8M salary ranks him just 14th among NFL edge rushers.
“Through adversity, inactive, dealing with injuries, you have to keep that faith,” Hendrickson once said, referencing his rise from Saints afterthought to the Bengals’ defensive heartbeat.
That faith now collides with cold economics—and perhaps an exit strategy.
Trey Hendrickson Breaks Silence: Bengals Star Throws Shade at Front Office Over Contract Stalemate
Moreover, if you listen closely to what Hendrickson said, it’s more than just stalled negotiations—it’s a loud public fallout that fans, insiders, and perhaps even head coach Zac Taylor can no longer ignore.
In a tense NFL offseason where player-franchise relationships are under the microscope, Hendrickson’s words painted a picture of neglect and broken promises inside the Bengals locker room.
On May 13, reporters asked Trey about where things stand with his contract. Man gave ‘em a line straight outta Florida:
“I’m Floridian. So, there are unprovoked shark attacks and there are provoked shark attacks,” Hendrickson said.
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Then he dropped the receipts:
“The comments that are being made, whatever happened at the combine, whatever happened at the owner’s meeting, the text I got yesterday. This is not where I’m just twiddling my thumb thinking how I can get the next one up.”
That comment has sent shockwaves across the NFL world, with many wondering whether the Bengals’ front office has misplayed its hand with one of the league’s premier pass-rushers.
Trey Hendrickson signed with Cincy back in 2021. Four-year deal. Solid money. Fast forward to 2024, and the Bengals tacked on a one-year extension worth $21 million — pushing the deal through 2025.
But Hendrickson is no longer satisfied with one-year deals. He’s made it clear to the football world that he’s looking for a two- to three-year extension, something more reflective of his performance and leadership on the field.
Instead of stepping up or moving on, the Bengals’ front office has gone ghost. No real extension offer. No trade buzz. Just straight-up silence.
In a revealing interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, May 13, Trey Hendrickson pulled back the curtain on the franchise’s silent treatment post-NFL Draft. His comments signal a communication breakdown that’s now boiling over into the public eye.
“No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post-draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level,” Hendrickson told Schefter, reported EssentiallySports.
The tension didn’t stop there. In what appears to be a direct shot at Zac Taylor and his coaching staff, Hendrickson said:
“Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team. THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution to this situation. But that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
You feel that? That’s not just disappointment. That’s betrayal. The kind that splits locker rooms and sends stars packing.
Trey Hendrickson isn’t merely negotiating—he feels abandoned by the franchise that once celebrated his arrival.
While Hendrickson reported to OTAs this week, he made a quiet but pointed statement by not participating. Dressed in street clothes, he stayed on the sidelines, declining to gear up with his teammates.
It was like him saying, “Talk to me when the money’s real.” And right when this whole thing was feeling like a cold war between Hendrickson and the front office.
Additionally, last week, he broke his silence in a powerful press address, criticizing the Bengals front office for failing to follow through on promises.
“The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating”, EssentiallySports reported.
He continued, expressing frustration with head coach Zac Taylor and the tone of recent communications.
“We’ve tried to keep it the least amount personal as possible. But at some point in this process, it becomes personal. Being sent 30 days before mandatory camp, or however many days it is that if I don’t show up, I will be fined…”
On the other hand, Coach Taylor also addressed the issue this week, on Tuesday, but kept his comments measured, indicating the team is trying to navigate the situation carefully.
“I put a lot of time into thinking – those situations, there’s real money at stake – So I put a lot of time and energy into thinking about how to communicate, when to communicate. And so, that’s just how I handled that one. And, yeah, Trey and I have spoken.”
When pressed further, Taylor remained vague:
“I think every situation is unique. Every personality is different, every player is different. The timing of everything is different. So, you just adapt as you go with that stuff.”
Still, it’s clear the standoff is at a crucial point. Hendrickson’s NFL holdout threat isn’t idle talk—he’s stated he will not play in 2025 without a new deal, even if that means missing mandatory training camp and paying fines.
Even Joe Burrow had to jump in and speak facts, who rarely comments on personnel issues, spoke out.
“He’s irreplaceable,” Burrow said—a quote that’s now echoing through the walls of Paycor Stadium.
Joe Burrow Backs Trey Hendrickson in Bengals Contract Dispute: “Deserves to Get Paid What the Market Is”
Now, with OTAs underway and contract talks stalling, the Pro Bowl pass rusher has gone public—and he’s got Joe Burrow backing him all the way.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 9-8 record last season and a second straight year without a playoff berth have left fans frustrated, particularly given the team’s struggles on defense.
Let’s set the table. Trey Hendrickson, a key force on the edge, remains one of the lone bright spots. But his rookie contract, which pays a base salary of $15.8 million this year, falls well below the going rate for a top-tier defensive end in today’s NFL contract market, where elite pass rushers command upwards of $30 million annually.
In fact, this issue isn’t new. According to multiple reports, Hendrickson requested a trade last offseason when the Bengals declined to offer him a new deal. He still showed up to Bengals OTAs in 2024, played at a Pro Bowl level, and strengthened his case.
In March, Cincinnati permitted Hendrickson to seek a trade, but the DE made it clear—he wants to stay in Cincinnati, but only if the team pays him what he believes he’s worth.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Joe Burrow didn’t mince words about where he stands on the Hendrickson standoff.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow has Trey Hendrickson’s back — again: “He’s a guy who deserves to get paid and get paid what he wants and what the market is.”pic.twitter.com/6Bs7m4wETc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 20, 2025
“You guys all know how I feel about Trey. He’s a great player; I love Trey as a guy. He goes out and plays well every single Sunday. He’s very productive. He’s a guy that deserves to get paid and get paid what he wants and what the market is. We’ll see what happens with that. But I love Trey and hope he’s with us.”
That’s not a casual quote; that’s a shot fired at the Bengals front office. Burrow’s saying: You paid Ja’Marr Chase ($161M) and Tee Higgins ($115M)? Cool. Now it’s time to take care of the man wrecking offensive lines every week.
Burrow’s support for his teammates isn’t new. Last year, the quarterback was publicly supportive of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, both of whom eventually landed major long-term contract extensions. Higgins inked a four-year, $115 million deal, while Chase secured a four-year, $161 million contract—moves that cemented Burrow’s influence in the locker room and front office.
Now, Burrow is extending that same support to Hendrickson, signaling that he wants the NFL sack leader to remain in stripes—and get paid accordingly.
Lions and Bears Among Interested Teams: Trade Buzz Intensifies
If the Bengals aren’t willing to offer a long-term deal, the natural next step is to explore trade options. According to multiple analysts, several teams could benefit from acquiring the high-motor edge rusher.
Teams like the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers all stand out as potential suitors. These franchises not only need pass-rushing help but also have the cap space and draft capital to make a move.
If the Bengals’ front office hoped to keep Hendrickson happy under the radar, they may have underestimated how hungry the rest of the league is for an elite edge defender.
Enter the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
The Lions, flush with $42.1 million in cap space, have emerged as a top suitor. Pairing Trey Hendrickson with rising star Aidan Hutchinson and newly signed DJ Reader could create the kind of defensive line that turns Super Bowl dreams into reality.
As for the Bears? They’re a wild card. Though GM Ryan Poles only has $6.8 million in space, he’s proven savvy at pulling off cap gymnastics to bolster the roster around rookie QB Caleb Williams.
Key Cap Space Comparison (As of Pre-Training Camp 2025)
Team | Cap Space | Status |
Detroit Lions | $42.1 million | Top 5 |
Cincinnati Bengals | $26.4 million | Mid-tier |
Chicago Bears | $6.8 million | Bottom 5 |
“Both teams see Hendrickson as the missing piece to vault their defenses from ‘meh’ to ‘marquee’”, reported EssentiallySports.
And they’re not wrong. Hendrickson brings a shark mentality that few in the league can match—disruptive, relentless, and built for big moments.
Meanwhile, for Zac Taylor, this isn’t just about losing a star player—it’s about a scheme unraveling at its core. The Bengals already finished 25th in total defense in 2024, and with rookie Shemar Stewart signed up in as a starter, the team desperately needs Hendrickson’s edge presence to stabilize the unit.
“I think he’s got great conviction in what he wants to do,” Taylor said of Al Golden’s defensive vision. But without Hendrickson, that vision blurs fast—like a concussion test on the sidelines.
Bengals are working with about $26.4 million in space. Sounds like a decent stack, but when your franchise DE wants $40M, that math ain’t mathin’.
But the question remains—do the Bengals actually want to trade Trey Hendrickson, or are they simply avoiding a long-term commitment in hopes of delaying the inevitable?
For Hendrickson, this isn’t just about chasing dollars. It’s about setting a precedent for defensive linemen league-wide. He wants to be paid like what he is—an elite edge rusher who’s changed the course of games against Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and anyone else brave enough to test his side of the line.
“This ain’t checkers; it’s 3D chess.” And in this game, the stakes are sky-high.
Legacy, respect, and security. Those are the currencies Hendrickson is bargaining with.
And with teams like Detroit and Chicago ready to cash out, Cincinnati’s time to act is ticking down.
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FAQ’s:
Q1: Why is Trey Hendrickson sitting out Bengals OTAs in 2025?
A: Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s 2024 sack leader, is refusing to participate in OTAs due to a contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s demanding a long-term deal worth up to $40 million per year, arguing the team broke past promises after the NFL Draft.
Q2: What did Trey Hendrickson say about the Bengals front office?
A: Hendrickson publicly criticized the Bengals for “broken promises” and “radio silence” after the 2025 NFL Draft. He said, “This is not where I’m just twiddling my thumb thinking how I can get the next one up.” The comments signal a major communication breakdown between the star pass rusher and team executives.
Q3: How much money is Trey Hendrickson asking for in 2025?
A: Hendrickson is reportedly asking for a contract worth up to $40 million per year, aiming to match elite edge rushers like Myles Garrett. The Bengals’ current offer is rumored to be around $28 million per year—well short of Hendrickson’s demand.
Q4: What is Trey Hendrickson’s current salary?
A: In 2025, Trey Hendrickson is due to earn $15.8 million under his current deal—ranking just 14th among edge rushers, despite leading the NFL in sacks last season.
Q5: Is Trey Hendrickson getting traded?
A: While the Bengals haven’t officially placed him on the trade block, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears are reportedly showing serious interest. Cincinnati previously granted him permission to seek a trade in 2024, so trade buzz is intensifying as contract talks stall.
Q6: What did Joe Burrow say about Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation?
A: Joe Burrow voiced strong support, saying: “He deserves to get paid and get paid what the market is.” It’s a public message to Bengals management that their star QB wants Hendrickson to stay—and be properly compensated.
Q7: Why is Trey Hendrickson’s contract so controversial in 2025?
A: Hendrickson is playing at a top-tier level, but his current pay doesn’t reflect that. After four Pro Bowls and a league-leading 17.5 sacks in 2024, many believe he’s underpaid. The Bengals’ hesitation to offer a long-term deal has sparked a standoff that could affect their playoff hopes.
Q8: How would losing Trey Hendrickson affect the Bengals defense?
A: It could be devastating. The Bengals already ranked 25th in total defense in 2024, and losing their top pass rusher would likely collapse an already fragile unit—especially with a rookie (Shemar Stewart) expected to start in 2025.
Q9: Which NFL teams could trade for Trey Hendrickson?
A: Potential trade destinations include:
- Detroit Lions – With over $42M in cap space, they could pair Hendrickson with Aidan Hutchinson.
- Chicago Bears – Despite cap constraints, they’re aggressive under GM Ryan Poles.
- Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers have also been floated as long-shot candidates.
Q10: Has Zac Taylor responded to Trey Hendrickson’s demands?
A: Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the situation but remained non-committal. He said, “Every situation is unique… You just adapt as you go.” His comments suggest internal tension, but no clear resolution.
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