The Cincinnati Bengals made wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase two of the highest-paid NFL players in 2025 on Monday morning, ensuring quarterback Joe Burrow has his top offensive weapons for years to come. However, it added fuel to NFL rumors about a potential Trey Hendrickson trade.
Hendrickson, a first-team All-Pro selection in 2024, received permission from the Bengals front office to seek a trade. The 30-year-old edge rusher is looking for his contract extension, wanting to join his teammates among the highest-paid players at their respective positions.
Related: Promising Cincinnati Bengals news on Trey Hendrickson contract talks
- Trey Hendrickson contract (Spotrac): $18.666 million cap hit in 2025, NFL free agent in 2026
Reports have indicated that Hendrickson is looking for a deal well north of $30 million per season, which would be one of the top average annual salaries among edge rushers. However, it’s well below the Myles Garrett contract ($40 million AAV) and the expected cost of a Micah Parsons contract extension ($41 million AAV).
The issue for the Bengals is that they’ve already committed to spending more than $120 million per season on their starting quarterback and two wide receivers. If Hendrickson gets the deal he wants heading into his age-30 campaign, Cincinnati would be spending more than half of the NFL salary cap on just 7.5% of their 53-man roster. It’s why many around the league have been skeptical that a deal gets done.
Related: Cincinnati Bengals blasted by GM for Trey Hendrickson trade asking price
While Hendrickson received permission to seek a trade, Bengals’ reporter Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes that the “arrow is pointed toward Hendrickson returning to Cincinnati” following extensions for Chase and Higgins.
- Trey Hendrickson stats: 54 pressures, 36 QB hits, 19 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Part of the reason stems from the Bengals’ offseason moves, more specifically, that the team didn’t address its pass rush in NFL free agency. That inactivity is even after Cincinnati’s No. 2 edge rusher Sam Hubbard announced his retirement early this offseason.
Related: NFL defense rankings after free agency, find out where the Cincinnati Bengals land
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Monday that contract negotiations between Hendrickson and the Bengals front office are “ongoing” with the team attempting to get a deal done. While many inside the NFL are still skeptical that Bengals owner Mike Brown can afford to pay all four stars, the team is exploring it.
In the meantime, Cincinnati has set an asking price so high for Hendrickson – more than a first-round pick – that other clubs aren’t willing to negotiate it. As a result, Hendrickson seems destined to spend the final year of his deal with the Bengals but his long-term future with the club remains uncertain.
