ESPN’s NFL insider Dan Graziano broke down 10 questions that continue to linger in the offseason. One of the questions was why the Cincinnati Bengals have not offered disgruntled pass rusher Trey Hendrickson a contract extension, and he gave his perspective on the matter.
Graziano believes a deal could still be done but believes the Bengals’ policy of no guaranteed money after the first year is a hurdle they have yet to cross.
Dan Graziano Explains Why Trey Hendrickson Hasn’t Received Contract Extension
Based on production alone, Hendrickson deserves to have a new contract. He was the NFL’s sack leader last season with 17.5 and has consistently performed despite the Bengals’ defense being one of the worst in the league.
The Bengals have also shown a willingness to splash the cash, rewarding wide receiver duo Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with market-setting contract extensions.
The Bengals have made offers to Hendrickson, but it’s believed that the team and the player remain far apart in their valuations. Graziano believes negotiations would be made easier if Cincinnati were to move away from its practice of only guaranteeing money in the first year of a contract.
“The Bengals’ long-held rule was to guarantee no money outside of the first year — specifically, the signing bonus. They broke this rule for quarterback Joe Burrow a couple of years ago and broke it again this year for Chase and Higgins. I don’t know for a fact that future-year guarantees are the holdup in Hendrickson’s deal, but it’s a fair assumption to make based on what I’ve heard from sources,“ he said.
Graziano also shared that in an ironic piece of history, it was part of the reason why Hendrickson became a Bengal in the first place.
“During free agency in 2021, Cincinnati tried bringing back edge rusher Carl Lawson, but he left for the Jets because they guaranteed second-year money. Cincinnati instead signed Hendrickson because he was OK with its contract structure.”
Graziano added that Hendrickson’s age could be a determining factor, as Burrow, Chase, and Higgins were in their mid-20s when signing their contract extensions that had guaranteed money in subsequent years.
Hendrickson Might Not Play if No New Contract Offered
Hendrickson is pulling every lever possible to get a deal done. He held a media scrum while practice was ongoing earlier this week and has sat out all voluntary activities so far.
Hendrickson has also threatened to sit out the entire 2025 season as a negotiating ploy. He told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler he has no intention to take the field on his existing $18.67 million contract that expires after the 2025 season.