It has been a bizarre contract negotiation process between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals. The seemingly endless saga dates back to last summer, when tensions were evident. At the end of summer, August specifically, both sides reached a truce in the form of a $14 million raise in 2025.
Now that the season has run its course, the relationship between player and team appears to be on the mend once again.
Trey Hendrickson Potentially on the Move as Rocky Relationship With Bengals Re-Emerges
As rumors begin to build regarding the 2024 First-Team All-Pro and a potential move, CBS Sports’ Amanda Guerra, Ryan Wilson, and John Breech discuss the matter.
Guerra mentions the possibility of the Cincinnati franchise tagging Hendrickson, to which Breech responds candidly.
“We certainly could be in for some more drama,” said Breech. “The Bengals and Trey Hendrickson are not really on good terms right now, so I would be surprised if they tagged him, unless it was a tag and trade of some sort.”
With CBS Sports writer viewing it as unlikely under the franchise tag, Breech believes there will be a vast market vying for the 2024 sack leader’s services.
“I do think if he hits free agency there is going to be a market because it is always a market if you can rush the passer,” said Breech. “We are talking about a guy that led the NFL in sacks in 2024.”
Building on the importance of a superb pass rusher in the modern NFL, Breech draws parallels to this season and the overall value.
“We really saw this season how important it is to rush the passer,” said Breech. “You look at the top nine teams when it comes to total sacks during the regular season.”
Breech continued, “Five of them ended up making the playoffs, three of those nine ended up in the conference title round, and of course the Seattle Seahawks ended up winning the Super Bowl, ranking in the top nine in total sacks during the regular season. If you can get after the passer, you can win in the NFL.”
Given the league’s current state, an elite pass rusher could propel a good team into a great one. With that said, Breech lists two teams that could benefit immensely from acquiring Hendrickson.
“Trey Hendrickson would be a huge boost to a lot of teams out there,” said Breech. “The Baltimore Ravens stealing him away would be interesting, but there are a lot of teams, maybe the Dallas Cowboys. Trey Hendrickson is going to have his choice of teams if he hits free agency.”
According to PFSN’s EDGE Impact metric, Hendrickson has ranked in the top 25 of NFL edges each season dating back to 2021.
As the 31-year-old continues to age, taking advantage of a few more impactful seasons could make the ultimate difference. If Hendrickson hits the market, who will prevail in the four-time Pro Bowler sweepstakes?
