The Cincinnati Bengals ought to have veteran pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson within the lineup for his or her Week 1 sport on the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 7 after he accepted a revised contract that gave him a $14M pay elevate for the 2025 season.
That stated, Hendrickson stays on monitor to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent following the marketing campaign. On Monday, he indicated he’s open to signing an extension with the Bengals earlier than the subsequent league 12 months opens in March 2026.
“We’re taking someday at a time,” Hendrickson stated about his unsettled future, per Geoff Hobson of the Bengals’ web site. “Shifting ahead, we’ll determine that out because it goes. For this season, to be given a elevate I did not essentially needed to have been given, it is a blessing to be able the place I have been introduced as much as my friends. And in addition with the ability to get after quarterbacks. I really like this metropolis and with what’s been occurring the final couple of months, I’ve had time to replicate on what it means to me and the way a lot I wish to keep a Bengal for the 2025 season.”
Hendrickson has featured for the Bengals since 2021, and StatMuse
exhibits that he has collected extra regular-season sacks (35) than another participant for the reason that begin of the 2023 marketing campaign. His capability to trouble quarterbacks is why Cincinnati wished to retain his rights via the upcoming season. Nevertheless, the truth that he turns 31 years outdated in December appears to be the most important cause why the franchise reportedly wasn’t keen to connect assured cash to his deal past 2025.
“Cincinnati might, theoretically, use a franchise tag on Hendrickson within the spring, however it could be wildly costly,” Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic wrote for a bit revealed Tuesday morning. “Subsequent 12 months’s tag could be 120 % of his present cap quantity. Whereas we don’t have the precise particulars on that cap quantity but, it ought to land within the $30M-plus vary, barring void years to unfold out the cap hit, which pushes the franchise tag to $36M-$40M. That may not be occurring, however the cash isn’t as necessary because the message already despatched: The membership doesn’t presently have curiosity in 2026 Hendrickson.”
As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Bengals at -140 betting odds to qualify for the playoffs this season. It seems like Hendrickson is dedicated to serving to Cincinnati pursue a return to postseason play despite the fact that it seems doubtless he’ll have a unique NFL house presently subsequent summer season.
“There is a great quantity of respect for the forwards and backwards we had and the numerous occasions of attempting to make issues work on multiple-year extensions all the best way all the way down to the elevate,” Hendrickson added. “And what is smart for the household on the time, and what was introduced to us. That is what’s greatest for not solely the 2025 Bengals, but additionally for my household personally. It is a great honor to get a elevate and be revered for what I do.”
