The contract saga between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals has been one of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason. Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last season, is seeking a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. However, negotiations have stalled, and according to former Heisman finalist Manti Te’o, the Bengals are reportedly lowballing the star pass rusher.
Manti Te’o Calls Out Bengals for Lowballing Trey Hendrickson in Contract Talks
The Bengals’ training camp practices officially begin tomorrow, but one key player has yet to report. Hendrickson, a standout on the Bengals’ defense since signing with the team in 2021, is holding out amid an ongoing contract dispute.
While the Bengals are scheduled to report to training camp today, Hendrickson is not even in the same state. This morning, he posted a photo of himself driving on a Florida highway, making it clear he has not joined the team.
Long-term extension talks between the #Bengals and star Trey Hendrickson broke down over guaranteed money before camp… and Hendrickson has now indicated he left the state.
He just posted this on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/Le2aKris0t
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2025
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5 and has recorded 57 sacks over his four seasons in Cincinnati. While the star pass rusher sought a major extension this offseason, the Bengals could not reach a deal, leading to his holdout.
While Hendrickson’s production clearly justifies a major payday, the Bengals don’t appear willing to meet his asking price. According to Manti Te’o, Cincinnati’s current offer is reportedly well below what Hendrickson is seeking.
On “Good Morning Football,” Te’o said he called and spoke with Hendrickson, who explained why he hasn’t reached a deal with Cincinnati.
Manti’s take 👀@Sara_Walsh https://t.co/JJn2TtzvcS pic.twitter.com/v82XDEB8ae
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) July 22, 2025
“He’s like, bro, ‘They are atrociously, atrociously low,”‘ Te’o said.
According to Hendrickson, via Te’o, the main sticking point in contract negotiations is the guaranteed money. At 30 years old, the star pass rusher is looking for a deal that offers financial security, knowing this is likely one of the final major contracts of his NFL career.
Several star pass rushers have signed massive contracts this offseason, many with significant guaranteed money. T.J. Watt recently inked a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, featuring $108 million in guarantees.
Hendrickson is widely regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL and is likely seeking guarantees comparable to Watt’s. However, the Bengals appear unwilling to offer a contract close to that number, which lies at the heart of the ongoing dispute.
If the Bengals choose not to extend him this year, they could apply the franchise tag again, keeping him in Cincinnati for the 2026-2027 season. But given Hendrickson’s willingness to hold out, there’s a real possibility he won’t play another snap for the team without a new deal.
If Cincinnati’s offer is truly as low as Te’o claims, it’s no surprise that Hendrickson is refusing to report to training camp.
