Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is dissatisfied with the Cincinnati Bengals over contract negotiations as offseason programs progress. He expressed frustration in a statement to ESPN, revealing a lack of communication after the draft. Hendrickson seeks a new contract, feeling that previous offers do not align with the expectations set last offseason. He’s entering the last year of his contract with a base salary of $15.8 million, having led the league in sacks in 2024 with 17.5. Bengals executive Katie Blackburn remarked it’s up to Hendrickson to find happiness, which he found “disappointing” and “frustrating.”
As offseason activities progress throughout the league, the NFL’s 2024 sack leader expresses dissatisfaction with his current team.
In a statement released to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, defensive end Trey Hendrickson noted that he and the Bengals remain at a standstill regarding his contract.
“No communication has taken place between my representatives and the organization since the draft,” Hendrickson stated. “The offers made before the draft did not align with the vision we discussed and were promised last offseason if I maintained high performance. Coaches are aware of these previous discussions. Instead of collaborating to facilitate my return to the team, THEY have ceased communication.
“I have been looking forward to resolving this matter, but that’s challenging when there’s no dialogue and a clear lack of interest in achieving shared objectives.”
Hendrickson is in the final year of his contract with the Bengals, set to earn $15.8 million in base salary. He’s advocating for a new contract from Cincinnati, but thus far, the organization has not presented a satisfactory offer.
Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn remarked, “it’s on [Hendrickson] to find happiness at some point” and that Hendrickson “should feel content at certain pay rates that perhaps he thinks he wouldn’t.”
Hendrickson later referred to those comments as “disappointing” and “frustrating.”
Hendrickson joined Cincinnati in 2021 after spending his first four seasons with the Saints. He recorded 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, leading the league in this category in 2024.