Trey Hendrickson and Bengals finally have a positive update in contract saga

Things have gotten pretty messy between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson, but the two sides recently took a big step in a positive direction.

The 2025 offseason has been a mess for the Cincinnati Bengals. While the team started the off time on a high note, extending both of its star receivers, things have gotten messy as of late due to the team’s inability to sign their star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, and rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart. While the Stewart situation has claimed a lot of headlines because of the bizarreness of the situation, it’s the Hendrickson saga that has been the most heartbreaking for Bengals fans.

The veteran defender is the NFL’s sack king, recording 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Entering the final year of his contract, Hendrickson is justifiably seeking an extension that represents his value to the team and status in the league as an elite edge defender. Unfortunately, the Bengals haven’t been on the same page with the defensive end, and that has led to Hendrickson requesting a trade, as well as communication between both sides stopping entirely.

With the veteran defensive end skipping the team’s recent mandatory minicamp, there is finally a positive update in this saga. On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Bengals and Hendrickson have resumed contract talks. While there’s still, seemingly, a long way to go before everyone is happy and ready to move forward, this is a necessary step to eventually end this saga.

Bengals and Trey Hendrickson have resumed contract talks

Throughout the entire offseason, Hendrickson has been pretty vocal about his desire for a new deal, explaining on multiple occasions why it’s only right the team extends him. Pretty much everyone agrees with the veteran defender, except the people in the Bengals’ building with the power to actually give Hendrickson an extension.

It’s unclear the number the defensive end is looking to be paid, but Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, and Myles Garrett were all extended this offseason, raising their annual salaries to $35.5 million, $35.6 million, and $40 million respectively. Hendrickson may not reset the market, but he certainly deserves to be in that range.

Hendrickson is only 30 years old, and has been a Pro Bowler every season in Cincinnati. Additionally, the defensive end has been consistent and reliable, playing all 17 games in each of the last two regular seasons. It makes sense for the Bengals to give him a well-earned extension, and that could happen soon now that both sides are communicating again.