by CINCINNATI, OH – As training camp looms, a familiar tension hangs over the Cincinnati Bengals, centered on a contract status of one belonging to their most impactful defensive players, Trey Hendrickson. one star defensive end, who led one NFL in sacks in 2024, has been at an impasse with this organization for months regarding a new long-term deal. Basically, Amidst one swirling speculation and concern from a fanbase, Bengals owner along with president Mike Brown recently addressed the situation, offering a candid and, found at times, revealing perspective positioned on that negotiations.
“It’s been a long negotiation. Trey Hendrickson can be described as a fine player. From a different perspective, you see, he’s a good guy. We want him here,” Brown stated upon Monday, July 21, via that Cincinnati Enquirer. Well, His words, direct in addition to unwavering, underscored a team’s desire in order to retain their pass-rushing stalwart. However, Brown also acknowledged the complexities, adding, “Dealing with him appears to be sometimes not so easy, as well as that’s all right. He’s got one right to argue his case. It is worth noting that we’ll try to make sense of it from our perspective. It is worth noting that we’ll you know see. It is worth noting that i’m not persuaded that it isn’t going for the purpose of get done. As kind of far as I’m concerned, a sooner the better. you know “.
An alternative viewpoint suggests that this rare public commentary from that typically reserved owner offers i mean crucial insight into a situation that could profoundly impact one bengals‘ 2025 season as well as beyond.
The Hendrickson Hurricane: A Career Defined by Sacks
Trey Hendrickson joined the Bengals in 2021 after a productive stint with the New Orleans Saints. He quickly established himself as a dominant force off the edge, providing the Bengals with the elite pass rush they desperately needed. His impact has been immediate and sustained:
- 2021 Season: 14.0 sacks, 34 total tackles.
- 2022 Season: 8.0 sacks, 32 total tackles.
- 2023 Season: 17.5 sacks, 43 total tackles.
- 2024 Season: 17.5 sacks, 46 total tackles (NFL leader).
Fact Check: Trey Hendrickson’s sack totals for the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons are accurate as stated. He led the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 17.5. Since 2023, he leads the NFL with 35.0 sacks. He is one of only five players (since 1982) to have 17+ sacks in back-to-back seasons, joining Hall of Famers Reggie White and Richard Dent, as well as J.J. Watt and Mark Gastineau.
Hendrickson has earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2021-2024) and was named first-team All-Pro in 2024, a testament to his consistent high-level performance. He’s not merely a “sack artist”; his relentless motor, power, and ability to disrupt plays have made him a complete defensive end.
The Contract Conundrum: Money vs. Structure
Hendrickson is currently entering the final year of a one-year, $21 million extension he signed in July 2023, which is set to pay him a base salary of $15.8 million in 2025. This short-term deal was a stopgap, with Hendrickson openly expressing his desire for long-term security.
Fact Check: Trey Hendrickson is indeed entering the final year of a one-year, $21 million extension signed in July 2023. His base salary for 2025 is $15.8 million.
The core of the current impasse, as revealed by both Hendrickson and Mike Brown, isn’t solely about the average annual value (AAV). While Hendrickson desires to be paid among the top edge rushers in the league – a group that has seen significant contracts recently, including Myles Garrett ($40 million AAV), Nick Bosa ($34 million AAV), and T.J. Watt (estimated $29-30 million AAV following his 2025 extension) – the primary sticking point appears to be contract length.
“We’re just not seeing eye-to-eye on the structure,” Hendrickson stated back in May. “It seems that a shorter deal is something that they’re pushing pretty hard. That puts [me] in the same place as I was in 2022, where I have to renegotiate the next year.” He explicitly mentioned his desire for a multi-year deal for “security and to stop having to negotiate every offseason about something that has been almost four years of doing.” He views a long-term commitment as a sign of “mutual respect.”
Fact Check: Trey Hendrickson’s comments from May 2025 accurately reflect his desire for a long-term deal and frustration with short-term arrangements. Reports from CBSSports.com and Sports Illustrated confirm the structure (length) of the deal, not just the money, is a key issue.
Mike Brown’s comments on Monday echoed this sentiment, albeit from the team’s perspective. When asked if the Bengals had offered a raise, Brown replied, “We offered him one, but keep in mind, Trey is signed for this season. Foolishly maybe, we offered him one, a raise. But anyway, he deserves a raise, he did well, and he played effectively. He’s important to 1us.” He then added the curious statement, “It’s a very peculiar thing, it isn’t about money. That’s been agreed to for months. It is a negotiation that has reached the level of, I can only think of a word I shouldn’t use here, but it’s silliness.”
Fact Check: Mike Brown’s exact quotes regarding offering a raise (“Foolishly maybe, we offered him one, a raise”) and the nature of the negotiation (“It’s a very peculiar thing, it isn’t about money. That’s been agreed to for months. It is a negotiation that has reached the level of… silliness”) are direct quotes reported by NFL.com and the Cincinnati Enquirer on July 21, 2025. This suggests that the total financial pie might be largely agreed upon, but the distribution over years and the guaranteed structure are the true sticking points.
This “silliness” likely refers to the difference in how the years of the contract are being structured, reflecting Hendrickson’s desire for genuine long-term security versus the Bengals’ preference for a shorter commitment, perhaps hedging against his age (he turns 31 in December 2025) and the volatility of edge rusher production.
The Trade Request and Training Camp Report
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Hendrickson reportedly requested a trade earlier in 2025. While this sent ripples of concern through Bengals Nation, the recent comments from Brown, combined with Hendrickson’s apparent continued engagement in discussions, suggest that a trade is unlikely at this point.
Fact Check: Reports confirmed that Trey Hendrickson did request a trade earlier in the 2025 offseason. However, recent reporting suggests this option is “out the window” as trading him would weaken the team for the current season.
The pressing question now is whether Hendrickson will report to training camp. He skipped voluntary OTAs, a common tactic in contract disputes. Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin expressed the team’s expectation: “He’s an important part of our team. He’s under contract and we expect all our guys under contract to be here.” Missing mandatory camp would incur significant daily fines, a financial hit Hendrickson might be willing to take to demonstrate his resolve.
Fact Check: Trey Hendrickson did skip voluntary OTAs. Duke Tobin’s quote about expecting players under contract to be at camp is accurate. Missing mandatory training camp would indeed result in fines.
Bengals’ Cap Space and Future Financial Landscape
The Bengals, while historically conservative with spending, have shown a willingness to invest heavily in their core, particularly on offense with Joe Burrow’s massive extension and Tee Higgins playing on the franchise tag. For 2025, the NFL salary cap is set at $279.5 million. The Bengals currently have around $31.9 million in effective cap space for 2025.
Fact Check: The 2025 NFL salary cap is indeed $279.5 million. OverTheCap.com estimates the Bengals’ effective cap space for 2025 to be around $31.9 million.
However, the team faces significant financial decisions looming for 2026 and beyond, with star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase expected to command a record-setting extension soon. This creates a delicate balancing act. While Hendrickson clearly deserves a raise reflecting his production, the Bengals must also manage their long-term cap health to retain other key players. A long-term, high-value deal for Hendrickson now might impact their ability to extend others down the line.
The Urgency and the Impact on the Defense
For the Bengals, securing Hendrickson is not just about keeping a Pro Bowler; it’s about maintaining the integrity of their defensive scheme. Under Steve Spagnuolo, their defense thrives on pressure, and Hendrickson is arguably their most consistent and impactful pass rusher.
Without Hendrickson’s presence, the Bengals’ ability to generate consistent pressure would be severely hampered. While they drafted defensive end Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he is a rookie and currently embroiled in his own contract dispute, making his immediate impact uncertain. The rest of the defensive line, while solid, doesn’t possess the same disruptive force as Hendrickson. Losing his 17.5 sacks from 2024 would be a catastrophic blow to a defense that needs to improve to complement Joe Burrow’s high-powered offense.
Fact Check: The Bengals did draft defensive end Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he is currently in a contract dispute as well.
Mike Brown’s statement, “I’m not persuaded that it isn’t going to get done. As far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better,” indicates a genuine desire for a resolution. The urgency is palpable, especially with training camp opening this week. A prolonged holdout would be a distraction and a detriment to the team’s preparation.
Conclusion: A Test of Resolve
The Trey Hendrickson contract standoff is a classic NFL negotiation, pitting player value and long-term security against team philosophy and future cap management. Mike Brown’s public comments provide a rare glimpse into the organization’s mindset: they value Hendrickson immensely, acknowledge I mean his worth, and want him inside Cincinnati. that “silliness” he refers toward suggests that one gap is not insurmountable during terms relating to total money, but rather within this commitment relating to years and guaranteed structure.
One important aspect to consider is that you see, as training camp opens, all eyes will be on trey hendrickson. When examining this closely, will he report. Will a deal materialize. One important aspect to consider is that basically, for bengals fans hoping to see their team contend designed for a super bowl, the resolution belonging to this impasse can be described as paramount. The “Bengals’ Boss” has spoken, laying out his cards. You see, Now, the ball appears to be inside both sides’ court for the purpose of find common ground and ensure that one of a league’s most dominant pass rushers continues to wreak havoc during orange and black.
