The Cincinnati Bengals bit the bullet and signed both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to historic extensions. A year after the team couldn’t buy a stop defensively, their decision to double down on offense was equally questionable and exciting — especially with defensive end Trey Hendrickson also due for a new contract.
Since then, it’s been quiet on the Hendrickson front, especially after the Bengals gave him permission to seek a trade. But now, we’ve finally got an update from a key NFL insider.
What’s Going On With Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals?
Both Chase and Higgins landed massive new deals — $161 million and $115 million, respectively, over four years. Chase’s deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, while Higgins is now right on the edge of the league’s top 10 highest-paid receivers.
With Joe Burrow already locked into a five-year, $275 million deal, the Bengals have a lot of money tied up in just three players. That’s put Hendrickson’s future in doubt. But Jordan Schultz shared some good news for Bengals fans.
“My understanding of the Trey Hendrickson situation is that the organization and ownership are fully prepared to move forward and attempt to negotiate a deal with him. I don’t believe they want to trade him at all, and I would actually say, after talking to multiple people involved, that they have now reached the conclusion that a trade is really off the table.
“Still, there’s one big hurdle: “Can both sides reach a fair agreement? Can they come together and find a number that works, not only for Trey obviously but for the organization? And that’s essential to this entire process.”
A finalist for Defensive Player of the Year last season, Hendrickson has been with the team since 2021 after starting his career with the New Orleans Saints. Since joining Cincinnati, he’s become the leader of the Bengals’ defense.
In back-to-back seasons, Hendrickson has totaled 17.5 sacks, leading the league in 2024. He also forced two fumbles and racked up 46 total tackles — pretty much carrying the defense on his back.
That defense finished as one of the five worst units in PFSN’s Defense+ metric. If the Bengals want to be a real playoff threat, they need Hendrickson — badly. But another recent extension may complicate things.
The Houston Texans just handed Danielle Hunter a huge payday — $36.5 million for one year.
“Last week, the Texans extended Danielle Hunter, and that was a big move for a lot of reasons,” Schultz continued. “Obviously, the money — but also, same age, same position, both All-Pro caliber players at arguably the second-most important position in the league. That extension now provides a potential blueprint.”
With the cash already going to Chase and Higgins, finding the right number for Hendrickson won’t be easy. Still, it looks like the Bengals want him back. Now, it’s just a matter of whether they can work some cap magic.