By working out contract extensions with the likes of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins in recent years, the Cincinnati Bengals have done well to keep their stars in town. That could be changing this offseason.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Bengals insider, Paul Dehner Jr., addressed Trey Hendrickson’s future in Cincinnati. The All-Pro pass-rusher’s contract will expire at the start of the new league year on March 11. He’ll be free to sign with any team he likes, but of course, the Bengals could also work out a new contract with the prized pass-rusher.
However, Dehner believes the Bengals “don’t see Hendrickson in their plans.”
“There’s little reason to believe Hendrickson will willingly return to Cincinnati, and it wouldn’t make much financial sense for the Bengals to blow a majority of its free-agent budget forcing him to do so,” Dehner wrote. “Crazy things happen all the time in the NFL, but it certainly appears that ship has sailed.”
After Hendrickson and the Bengals were stuck in a contract holdout before the 2025 season, Cincinnati eventually caved and gave the pass-rusher a $13 million raise. But he only made it through seven games of the season while finishing with just four sacks. Now, both sides are expected to move on.
Hendrickson, 31, is expected to be fully healthy for the 2026 season, and he’s likely the top player on several teams’ free agency big boards this offseason. Despite the down year, Hendrickson will have no issues commanding a contract that rivals the NFL’s highest-paid pass-rushers.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt holds that title right now, earning an average of $41 million per season from the Steelers. Hendrickson, coming off an injury-riddled campaign, may not top that number, but he’ll still be in the $30 million range.
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