Bengals have reportedly created a blueprint to avoid trading DE Trey Hendrickson

NFL insider Jordan Schultz claimed that the Cincinnati Bengals are serious about re-signing Trey Hendrickson and a trade is 'off the table.'

Bengals have reportedly created a blueprint to avoid trading DE Trey Hendrickson

Bengals will not trade Trey Hendrickson (Image via IMAGO)

Trey Hendrickson is among the Cincinnati Bengals’ best players along with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. However, due to a shortage of funds, the Bengals came close to trading Hendrickson.

FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz recently reported on his podcast that the Bengals have found a way to extend Trey Hendrickson’s contract and the trade is ‘off the table.’ The owners and the coaching team want Hendrickson in Cincinnati for a long time.

YouTube video

The [Cincinnati Bengals] organization and ownership are fully prepared to move forward and attempt to negotiate a deal with him. I don’t believe they want to trade him at all…   After talking to multiple people involved, they have now reached a conclusion that a trade is really off the table.

Jordan Schultz said on the NFL on Fox Podcast

Trey Hendrickson trade news

After signing an extension with the Bengals in 2023, Hendrickson went off. He recorded 86 combined tackles and 35 sacks in the following two seasons.

The Bengals have reportedly created a blueprint to avoid trading DE Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson (Image via IMAGO)

Meanwhile, the DE market reset with a $40 million per year (4 years) contract to Cleveland Brown’s Myles Garrett. Hendrickson is scheduled to make 15.8 million in 2025, but it’s not guaranteed money, prompting the 30-year-old to ask for a lucrative contract extension.

Hendrickson’s timing made sense. The Bengals’ defense was in shambles last year, and with Chase and Higgins getting an extension, he could ask for a trade, and he did.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years. I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.

Trey Hendrickson said, via ESPN insider Adam Schefter

Extending Chase and Higgins’ contracts leaves very little cap money for the Bengals brass to work with. Chase was the priority while Higgins was close to becoming a cap casualty until both signed mammoth deals to become the highest-paid wide receiver duo in NFL history.

Consequences of failing to sign a new contract

If the Bengals fail to reach a middle ground with Trey Hendrickson, then trade may be the option they might take. However, Hendrickson reportedly has a third option in his hand.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently said that Hendrickson is ready to sit out the entire 2025 season and try out his luck next year.

I think it’s entirely possible, based on what I’m hearing, for him to sit out the year if he doesn’t get a new deal. I think that’s his mindset right now.

Jeremy Fowler said

This means two things. The Bengals will be forced to pay him $18 million without any game time or, worse, release him. They can lessen the burden by making it a post-June 1 release, but if Hendrickson stayed, then they can fine him for not appearing for games and training.

Fortunately, there’s no need for the Bengals to go down that path for the moment. The situation changed somewhere down the line, and the Bengals are confident about re-signing the 4x Pro Bowler instead of trading him away.

Bengals’ blueprint

Trey Hendrickson reportedly demanded north of a $30 million per year deal from the Bengals, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive ends. The number seemed too much when announced until the Garrett deal went through.

Schultz speculated that the Bengals might follow the same route as the Houston Texans. The AFC South team gave star pass rusher Danielle Hunter a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension following his 12-sack season.

Last week, the Texans extended Danielle Hunter and that was a big move for a lot of reasons. Obviously, the money but the same age, same position, both All-Pro caliber players at, arguably the second most important position in the league. That extension now provides a potential blueprint.

Jordan Schultz said

A contract similar to Hunter’s makes sense. The Bengals can delay a longer extension using this method. This essentially becomes a one-year prove-it deal, and if Hendrickson fails to replicate numbers close to his previous two years, he might end up being the biggest name in free agency.