The Cincinnati Bengals recently signed star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive four-year deals, ensuring that the two core players will remain in Cincinnati.
However, another key piece of their roster remains in limbo. Trey Hendrickson, the star defensive end and the NFL‘s reigning sack leader, is still without a new deal, and his contract situation could take a drastic turn if an agreement isn’t reached before the start of the season.
NFL Sack Leader Trey Hendrickson Set To Sit Out Season?
Hendrickson, the NFL’s 2024 sack leader, was granted permission earlier this offseason to seek a trade as negotiations on an extension stalled. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the situation remains unresolved, and a holdout is now a real possibility.
“I think it’s entirely possible, based on what I’m hearing, for him to sit out the year if he doesn’t get a new deal,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “I think that’s his mindset right now.”
It is clear that Hendrickson has no intention to play out the final year of his current deal. While a trade remains a possibility, Fowler reported that the Bengals’ asking price is high, making it unlikely that this story ends with a trade.
“And there’s interest, there is trade interest from other teams trying to make this work, but it would take a really hefty trade package,” Fowler said. “Teams aren’t willing to do that and pay Hendrickson right now.”
Will the Bengals let this contract saga with one of the league’s premiere defenders go on long enough for the possibility of a holdout to become a reality?
Could the Regining Sack Leader Re-Sign With the Bengals?
As has been reported throughout the offseason, the Bengals are actively working on an extension with Hendrickson; however, after handing out over $275 million to Chase and Higgins combined, the star defender could end up being the odd one out.
An extension remains a likely scenario for the four-time Pro Bowler, but it will all depend on how much the Bengals are willing to spend following the bank-shattering deals to their receiver duo.
Although Fowler believes a deal will be agreed upon eventually, the timeline for that deal is uncertain.
“I still think they can work something out — Hendrickson and the Bengals — on a new deal,” Fowler said. “It’s been stagnant of late, it’s sort of stalled, but they have a couple of months at least to try to shake this out and get a new deal done.”
While time is on the Bengals’ side as discussions continue, reports that talks have slowed down are a bit concerning for fans. Now, with talks of a potential holdout, the contract saga seems to be taking a dramatic turn.
Can the Bengals and Hendrickson come to an agreement before the start of the new season? Or could we see the NFL’s sack leader sport a different jersey in 2025?
Hendrickson sitting out the season seems like the last resort, but as reports continue to come out, this last resort seems all the more possible as the two sides remain far apart on an extension agreement.