CINCINNATI — Nine months after asking for a trade, Trey Hendrickson is now free to seek one on his own.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Bengals ownership has agreed to allow the NFL sack leader from 2024 to explore what options there are out there for him to pursue.
Hendrickson, who asked for a trade last spring after the team refused to renegotiate his deal with two years remaining. The 30-year-old is under contract for 2025 for $15.8 million, far below the $35.5 million annually that 27-year-old Maxx Crosby just signed with the Raiders.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”
During Super Bowl week in New Orleans Hendrickson said it was his intention to help the Bengals win a Super Bowl in future, either by being on the team directly or indirectly by seeking a trade that would bring the Bengals valuable pieces in return.
This is hardly unusual around the NFL. As a matter of fact, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was just afforded the same latitude, with the Raiders and Giants reportedly making serious bids. Instead of leaving, the Rams and Stafford came to agreement on a revised contract for 2025.
The Bengals have taken the rare step of granting All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate… pic.twitter.com/7P7Hbe2Y9e
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2025
Could the Bengals and Hendrickson do the same? Likely not. Hendrickson is looking for one more bite at the apple for a deal in the neighborhood of nine figures after Maxx Crosby’s $106.5 million, three-year deal this week.
In 2021, Hendrickson signed a 4-year contract worth $60 million with the Bengals. Hendrickson received $16 million in guarantees including a $10 million signing bonus. It was a savvy deal by the Bengals.
Why is Hendrickson so underpaid?
In 2023 the Bengals got Hendrickson to agree to a one-year extension worth a total of $21 million. As part of the extension, the Bengals gave Hendrickson an $8 million signing bonus in 2023 and increased his salary for that year by $5 million. His 2024 salary remained the same as his original contract. His cap number in 2023 was virtually unchanged while his 2024 cap number increased by $2.67 million.
It stands as arguably the best free agent contract the Bengals have ever pulled off, both in terms of value and production. Time will tell with Orlando Brown Jr., which certainly could be in that same conversation.
Why is everyone so dramatic ??
A player demands to be paid X. I don’t feel good about paying X. I say well I hold your rights. So if X will only make you happy. Go out there explore your real options. Come back to be with the number other teams are willing to pay you,…
— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) March 6, 2025
There are two ways to look at this.
The Bengals lost Sam Hubbard to retirement this week and if they agree to a deal, they are about to lose one of the best pass rushers in the league and their most impactful defensive player on a weak defense last season. Taking away the best player on a unit that needs to be rebuilt would figure to make that job even more difficult.
The other side of the coin is the Bengals would be silly to extend a 30-year-old pass rusher north of $30 million annually when they still are trying to pay Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, rebuild the interior offensive line and add at least three new edge rushers and at least three interior defensive linemen.
The defense will likely need at least one outside linebacker and another safety if Vonn Bell does not return next season.
The Bengals are likely just allowing Hendrickson to test the market like Matthew Stafford did, and allow Hendrickson to come back with a deal. If the Bengals feel the pieces he brings in return can fulfill at least two of the pieces mentioned above, then the Bengals would be foolish not to seriously consider it. Teams may not want to offer value in return because they don’t want to spend draft and roster capital just for the privilege of paying Hendrickson a $90-100 million deal.
Hubbard reaction:
It should come as no surprise that words of praise are coming in for Sam Hubbard after the 29-year-old announced his retirement Wednesday after seven seasons with the Bengals. One of those who knows him well is John Rodenberg, the current Indian Hill High School football head coach and the former coach of the Moeller Crusaders. Rodenberg coached Hubbard when he played on two state championship teams with Moeller in 2012 and 2013.
“Sam is a true competitor,” Rodenberg said in a text Thursday night. “He works hard at everything he puts his mind to. He has a charisma that can bring a team together!!! Fun guy to coach!”
Meanwhile, tickets for the Third Annual Sam Hubbard Foundation Fowling Tournament go on sale this Friday, March 7th, at 9 a.m. ET. Tickets can be ordered here. The event will take place May 15 at the Fowling Warehouse at 5 p.m. Tickets are $200 per Fowling team and $100 to attend as a socially.
