CINCINNATI — The Bengals resolved two main contract conditions this offseason, however a major one lingers because the group prepares for the upcoming season.
After inking huge receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term contracts, the scenario with star defensive finish Trey Hendrickson stays unresolved.
The NFL’s sack chief in 2024 has not participated in any voluntary exercises this offseason as he appears to get a brand new contract. Final season, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, was named to The Related Press All-Professional group and reached the Professional Bowl for the fourth straight season.
Bengals reporter Ben Child and Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler take a look at the largest questions for Hendrickson and the Bengals as Section 3 of the offseason program heads to necessary minicamp on June 10.
How did we get right here?
This yr marks the third straight yr Hendrickson has sought some type of motion on his contract. In 2023, he signed a one-year extension that included an $8 million signing bonus. One yr later, he wished to signal a long-term deal however was rebuffed. That prompted a commerce request that went unanswered.
This offseason, Hendrickson once more requested the chance to pursue a commerce amid the shortage of a deal. However this time, it was granted. Cincinnati allowed Hendrickson to discover the market earlier than free company and the NFL draft.
In response to a supply conversant in the proceedings, a number of groups initially confirmed curiosity in signing Hendrickson to a long-term contract if they might efficiently commerce for him. Nevertheless, nothing materialized, resulting in the extended negotiation between each side. — Child
What’s the buzz across the league?
Most groups agree the Bengals are in a troublesome spot due to the market realities of Hendrickson’s worth. 4 cross rushers earn greater than $34 million per yr, and Hendrickson’s play as a sack chief suggests he needs to be in that group with Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa.
Hendrickson not solely needs correct market worth, however he needs long-term safety, which implies a one- or two-year deal in all probability will not suffice.
Some across the league consider Cincinnati will work out a strategy to maintain him.
“I am unable to see how they will let a fantastic participant go for a draft decide, given the stress to win now,” an NFC govt mentioned. Commerce talks have cooled, with the assumption that Cincinnati both did not get a proposal together with a first-round decide or it rebuffed participating commerce affords in March. It appears like that is contract extension or bust, not less than proper now.
“I nonetheless assume they will come to a compromise, getting him above that $30-million threshold whereas overlaying themselves,” one other NFC govt mentioned. “The age [30] is one thing that should be an element for them.”
If no deal happens, I’ve spoken to a number of individuals who consider Hendrickson very nicely would possibly comply with by on his promise to overlook video games and even the season. “He is extraordinarily dug in,” a supply mentioned. — Fowler
How did the market shift within the offseason have an effect on the contract talks?
A few offers this offseason have exacerbated the scenario between Cincinnati and Hendrickson. When the 2 sides talked in 2024, at a time Hendrickson believed the Bengals have been involved in rewarding a high quality season with a brand new deal, it was laborious to foretell how the contract worth for edge rushers was going to leap.
First, Garrett signed a record-breaking deal price $40 million yearly, ending his personal acrimonious standoff with the Cleveland Browns. Then the Houston Texans and Hunter agreed to an extension price $35.6 million a yr. Hunter is 30. His contract options a number of void years and successfully runs by 2026, but it surely raised the value level additional. And Hendrickson took discover.
“Having that dialog in July of 2024 doesn’t forecast Could of 2025,” Hendrickson mentioned. — Child
Do the Bengals have the cap house?
The Bengals usually like to order sufficient cap house to get by a complete season, which ends up in a extra conservative strategy in comparison with different groups across the league.
So whereas Cincinnati technically has $27.6 million in cap house for 2025, not all of that’s instantly out there for participant acquisition. For instance, when Zack Moss went down with a season-ending neck harm final season, Cincinnati was in a position to purchase working again Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears.
That being mentioned, the Bengals do have the mandatory house to account for bills throughout the season and a possible Hendrickson extension.
He’s set to earn $15.8 million plus $200,000 in bonuses this season. By remodeling contracts and finalizing the way forward for linebacker Germaine Pratt, who represents $5.8 million in cap financial savings, Cincinnati may assemble a deal that may get Hendrickson within the vary of $28 million to $30 million yearly. — Child
Which facet wants the opposite extra?
By far, it is the Bengals. Even when Hendrickson will get minimize, groups might be champing on the bit to signal somebody who has a base wage of $15.8 million for 2025.
To place that in perspective, that is roughly the identical annual wage because the Chicago Bears’ Dayo Odeyingbo (three sacks in 2024).
Final season, Hendrickson accounted for 48% of the group’s sack whole. The Bengals notably didn’t have a very good protection final season. Not having one of many NFL’s leaders in nearly each main cross rush class is not going to make bettering below new coordinator Al Golden any simpler because the Bengals attempt to snap a two-year playoff drought. — Child
Might this drag into the common season?
Completely. Hendrickson has firmly indicated that he has no want to play on his present contract. When requested point-blank if he was keen to skip video games, he artfully danced across the query.
However the nonanswer, coupled together with his different feedback throughout a prolonged interview session with native reporters in Could, indicators that it may final into the common season. Hendrickson has already been knowledgeable he may very well be fined if he misses the necessary minicamp. Whereas the misplaced cash may sting briefly, Hendrickson has made it very clear he has sturdy convictions about his worth and present cope with the Bengals. — Child
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If they can not get a deal finished, what are the opposite choices?
Hendrickson may very well be the one who relents and performs out the ultimate yr of his deal. That may make him a free agent subsequent yr. Nevertheless, incomes a deal on the identical quantity in 2026 as he instructions this offseason is the furthest factor from a assure, contemplating Hendrickson’s age.
He may find yourself making this as bitter as doable, as Carlos Dunlap did in 2020, which left the Bengals no alternative however to commerce him in the course of the season. If the remainder of the league is aware of Cincinnati has to eradicate a poisonous scenario, that would additionally affect the kind of commerce compensation groups are keen to supply. — Child
How are his teammates responding to his stance?
Gamers have been largely supportive of Hendrickson’s choice to face his floor and search a brand new deal. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been one among his most ardent backers.
Nevertheless, Burrow did have an fascinating remark when requested about Hendrickson’s scenario. “Identical to anyone, I am positive there’s issues he’d wish to have again,” Burrow mentioned on Could 20. “He is very nicely thought out in his course of and what he is attempting to do. If he thinks that is the way in which to go, then that is the way in which to go.”
Fellow teammates need Hendrickson to be rewarded for what he has delivered to the group, and the locker room as nicely. “He is an incredible participant, man,” Chase mentioned Tuesday. “I imply, everybody sees it. All of us see what he does to this group, the vitality he introduced again the day he got here in.
“Everyone knows he deserves it.” — Child
