The Trey Hendrickson situation must be a remarkably frustrating experience for the Cincinnati Bengals’ pass rusher. From his perspective, he did everything he could to give the Bengals defense the biggest boost. He delivered, leading the league in sacks.
His reward has been nothing more than a pat on the back. Hendrickson hasn’t taken it lightly, having talked openly about the situation this offseason. However, the wait could theoretically go that long with the regular season still months away. That said, one upcoming deadline gives an NFL analyst hope for movement.
Trey Hendrickson’s Breakthrough Moment Could Be Just Around the Corner, NFL Insider Claims
In an article for Sports Illustrated, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested a new deal between Cincinnati and Hendrickson could be reached as soon as June 10.
“The Trey Hendrickson thing needs deadlines to create movement, and I do think the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp, set for June 10–12, is one to keep an eye on,” Breer wrote.
The pass rusher has earned 17.5 sacks in the past two seasons. However, the issue for Hendrickson isn’t his production, but his age. Defying traditional patterns, the pass rusher has hit his stride at an age when players typically decline.
Trey Hendrickson just spoke for 22 minutes. Says he will not play this season on his current contract.
His arrival today at voluntary OTAs is a result of things becoming “personal” after being informed by Zac Taylor on Monday he would be fined for missing mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/M5dJ7Vko2r
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) May 13, 2025
All signs point toward the Bengals being fearful of paying the pass rusher, only to fail to see a return. The only guarantee Hendrickson can give about his presence is a “personal” promise, but that won’t stop time from ticking and his eventual decline. Simply put, it’s an issue of timing.
Time Is Not on Hendrickson’s Side
The star pass rusher is heading into the final year of his deal, according to Spotrac. As such, the pressure is on to get a deal done, but more pressure appears to be on Hendrickson than the Bengals.
The Bengals have the luxury of the franchise tag. Whether they sign Hendrickson to a long-term deal or a conventional extension, they can keep him around at a lower price.
If they choose to assign an extension later in the season, the delay could ultimately backfire as Hendrickson will be older and his value could diminish. From the Bengals’ perspective, the best move would be to let the current deal play out and use the franchise tag on him until he declines or the team exhausts its ability to tag him.
By that point, Hendrickson will be well into his 30s and most of his usefulness will have run out. Despite the team’s defensive struggles outside of the pass rusher, all signs point to Hendrickson’s back being against the wall without the needed leverage.
Will the pass rusher find a way to get an added reward for his impressive contributions?