Age Playing Major Factor in Bengals Hendrickson Contract Talks

Trey Hendrickson just turned 30 years old in December, but at a physical position like defensive end, it's easy to question when age will start playing a factor in performance.

However, over the course of his eight-year NFL career, Hendrickson's play on the field has aged like fine wine.

The All-Pro for the Cincinnati Bengals is coming off back-to-back seasons with a career-high 17.5 sacks. That number led the entire NFL last season, and the combined total of 35 is the most in that span.

Since arriving in Cincinnati in 2021, Hendrickson has made the Pro Bowl each year after not making one during his first NFL stint with the New Orleans Saints. He has also surpassed or matched his career high in sacks in three of his four years in Cincy.

Hendrickson is up for a contract extension with the Bengals, and negotiations seem to have quieted between the two parties despite Trey continuing with his holdout.

One reason may be because of his age.

In his rare appearance at the facility for a press conference earlier this offseason, Hendrickson brought up this point and his desire for more long-term security.

"It's one of those things that we're just not seeing eye-to-eye on the structure, and it seems that a shorter deal is something that they are pushing pretty hard," Hendrickson said about his age possibly dictating the Bengals' contract offer.

"That puts us in the same place I was in 2022 where I have to renegotiate the next year, because if goals are the same and playing at a better level than I did last year, then next year, we're just kicking the can down the road."

This comes after Hendrickson signed a four-year $60 million deal in 2021, then a one-year $21 million extension in 2023. He is under contractual control for one more year in 2025 before becoming an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

While his age is a logical cause for concern for Cincinnati, Hendrickson's play proves it to be an irrelevant argument. Other players north of 30 attest to this, too.

In Pro Football Focus' ranking of the top-30 players older than 30, Hendrickson ranked No. 9 behind the likes of Derrick Henry, T.J. Watt, and George Kittle.

Many of the names listed above Hendrickson have signed or are already on contracts of at least three years in length and still produce at a high level. Trey is hoping he can join this list soon, as his play rightfully deserves it.

"Hendrickson’s future home may be uncertain, but his pass-rush production is not. He led the NFL in both pressures and sacks during the regular season and ranked fifth with a 90.4 pass-rush grade. Since arriving in Cincinnati, Hendrickson has consistently overwhelmed opposing offensive lines and has firmly earned elite status," PFF wrote.

Ideally, Hendrickson's next deal turns out be one of the last of his career. It's safe to say his elite performance will carry over for at least the next few seasons, if not the entire contract.

The Bengals front office, for some reason, isn't sold. So until then, Hendrickson is stuck waiting to see if they will ever come around.