Trey Hendrickson’s contract standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals continues after months of back-and-forth. The frustrating stalemate has sometimes led to hostilities being exchanged in both directions, with the two sides still seemingly miles apart.
It’s clear that serious compromises will need to be made on both sides for Hendrickson to remain at Bengal, with patience wearing thin among the team’s fan base. One former league MVP has given his thoughts on what it might take to get a deal done.
Bengals Legend Shares Thoughts on Trey Hendrickson’s Contract Standoff
During a recent episode of “Up & Adams,” Bengals legend Boomer Esiason spoke to host Kay Adams about the situation. The 1988 league MVP stated that the Bengals need to find a way to keep their star defensive player, stating his confusion at the team’s stubborn approach to talks.
“They need defensive help. I mean, this was one of the worst defenses in football last year… If they don’t have Trey Hendrickson, who is a leader on defense, a leader in the locker room, does everything the right way, gives you 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons for a total of 35 sacks.
“I don’t know how you don’t get him back into camp. So to me, he’s a very important player.”
“I think he’s the perfect fit for Cincinnati and they need to sign him.”
Boomer Esiason has a solution for the Bengals ongoing contract dispute with Trey Hendrickson đź’°@heykayadams | @7BOOMERESIASON | #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/lVNhDlNBPO
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 23, 2025
The irony of Hendrickson’s situation is that arguably no team needs him more than the Bengals do, but it’s hard to imagine any other team refusing to pay him. Cincinnati scored the sixth-most points in the NFL last season, yet was the only team in the top 11 in that stat to miss the playoffs.
Perhaps more notable is that the Bengals outscored the Pittsburgh Steelers by 92 points in 2024, yet it was their division rivals who advanced to the postseason.
Boomer Esiason Suggests Compromise That Could Keep Hendrickson in Cincinnati
However, the former Bengal remains positive that an agreement can be reached and even came up with his own idea for a deal that could suit both sides.
“They need to sign him, so I’d like to see some kind of meeting in the middle. My compromise would be two more years on a contract and probably $15-20 million in more guaranteed money.
“So he’ll make his money this year; that’s already guaranteed. He wants guaranteed money beyond this year, and I think he should be rewarded for what he’s given the Bengals.”
Hendrickson recently posted a photo from Florida on his social media, suggesting that the ball is very much in Cincinnati’s court at present. An eventual agreement remains the most likely outcome, but this has become a painfully prolonged saga.
2 years $80 million guaranteed