The Cincinnati Bengals granted All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade this offseason, opening the door to moving on from the Defensive Player of the Year candidate. While the decision made NFL news, it appears the Bengals are making it difficult for a deal to happen.
Hendrickson, in a contract year, is looking for a new deal. With the recent contract extensions signed by Myles Garrett ($40 million average annual value) and Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million AAV), Hendrickson wants a comparable deal. That’s an issue for a franchise that still needs to extend its receiver tandem.
- Trey Hendrickson stats: 54 pressures, 36 QB hits, 19 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Multiple NFL teams want to trade for Hendrickson and are willing to meet his contract demands on a multi-year extension. However, no team is willing to meet Cincinnati’s demands in a trade, which has specifically caused some frustration among general managers.
One general manager who spoke to senior NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic said that the Bengals’ asking price for Hendrickson is “ridiculous” and not something anyone in the league is willing to offer.
Related: Trey Hendrickson trade landing spots
Examining the Cincinnati Bengals’ situation with Trey Hendrickson, Tee Higgins
The sentiment on the acquisition cost for Hendrickson is also reportedly the same with wide receiver Tee Higgins, as multiple NFL teams believe Cincinnati’s demands are “crazy” for the top pass-catcher. As for the specific cost of trading for Hendrickson, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network disclosed that the Bengals want “more than” a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Trey Hendrickson contract (Spotrac): $18.666 million cap hit in 2025, NFL free agent in 2026
It’s an asking price that no team is willing to meet right now and that sentiment is unlikely to change ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. As of now, the expectation is that the Bengals will have to sit on the situation until they either lower their asking price or meet Hendrickson’s contract demands.
Related: Early suitors for Trey Hendrickson trade revealed
While Hendrickson is under contract for the 2025 season, teams are willing to wait out the Bengals’ front office. This is one of the most cash-strapped franchises in the NFL and no one outside of Cincinnati thinks the team will be able to extend Higgins, Hendrickson and Ja’Marr Chase.
Hendrickson could threaten to sit out training camp or even hint at sitting multiple regular-season games to try and force the team’s hand. However, extending him likely means the team won’t be able to afford to sign Higgins to an extension. It’s why teams aren’t meeting the Bengals’ demands and seem ready to let the situation get worse with the belief the asking price will come down.
