The Cincinnati Bengals face a crossroads with two of their key defensive players locked in contract standoffs. While rookie Shemar Stewart holds out for his first NFL deal, veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson’s future with the franchise hangs in the balance. With the 2025 season approaching, these disputes could reshape Cincinnati’s defense in ways the organization never intended.
Why Are the Bengals Struggling to Lock Up Hendrickson?
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have inadvertently complicated Cincinnati’s negotiations this week. Mike Tomlin’s team secured four-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro T.J. Watt with a lucrative extension, eliminating any uncertainty about his future in Pittsburgh.
Hendrickson finds himself in a vastly different situation, and analysts believe a trade might benefit both parties involved.
“The Hendrickson contract saga has been going on for a while, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote Wednesday. “Meanwhile, the Bengals used a first-round pick on Shemar Stewart, who is also engaged in a contract dispute with the club, and they have Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy to line up at defensive end.
The logic becomes clearer when considering Cincinnati’s roster construction. With multiple defensive ends already under contract and Stewart waiting in the wings, the Bengals have options if Hendrickson departs.
“If Cincinnati isn’t going to pay the 2024 sack leader the money he’s looking for, then it should trade him sooner rather than later to maximize its return,” Holder added.
How Far Will Hendrickson Go to Get His Deal?
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided insight into Hendrickson’s mindset during Friday’s appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.” The veteran pass rusher appears prepared to miss significant time if necessary.
“We’ve seen things that seem to be going one way, and then all of a sudden the pendulum swings back,” Pelissero said. “I do not believe, without a new contract, that Trey Hendrickson is reporting. I don’t think that he is there throughout the course of the preseason without a new contract, at least up until the point that he would need to play.”
The financial stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides. Hendrickson would forfeit substantial money by sitting out games, but Pelissero believes the pass rusher’s determination runs deeper than immediate financial concerns.
“But I would absolutely not be surprised if he sits out games. You’re talking about missing a million dollars per game check, but you’re also talking about a guy who, this is his time to get one more really big bite at the apple. He’s determined to get that. So stay tuned on the Trey Hendrickson situation.”
What Does Hendrickson Actually Want From Cincinnati?
According to Pelissero, Hendrickson’s demands center on long-term security rather than just immediate compensation. The veteran defensive end wants a multi-year commitment from Cincinnati after previously operating on a one-year extension.
This approach makes sense from Hendrickson’s perspective. He doesn’t want to face another contentious negotiation in the near future, preferring to secure his financial future while still performing at an elite level.
The timing adds urgency to these discussions. Cincinnati’s defense struggled significantly in 2024, and losing their top pass rusher would create even more challenges for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Hendrickson’s production as the league’s sack leader that season demonstrates his continued value to any NFL roster.
However, the Bengals must balance Hendrickson’s demands against their salary cap constraints and long-term roster building plans. With Stewart still unsigned and other key players requiring extensions, Cincinnati faces difficult decisions about where to allocate their resources.
