Trey Hendrickson Denies Reporting to Bengals Training Camp over Contract Issues

The Cincinnati Bengals are currently in a contract standoff with two of their defensive ends, Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart.

Trey Hendrickson Denies Reporting to Bengals Training Camp over Contract Issues

Trey Hendrickson (Images via BR/Instagram)

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Trey Hendrickson, four-time Pro Bowler and star defensive end, did not report to the Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp on Tuesday, as he continues to seek a new long-term deal. Hendrickson, a key figure in the team’s defense since joining in 2021, remains in Florida according to a story he shared on Instagram.

Hendrickson is under contract for the 2025 season and is set to earn a base salary of $15.8 million. His total cap hit stands at $18.7 million. He is pushing for a contract extension that includes guaranteed money comparable to the league’s highest-paid edge rushers. The 29-year-old previously skipped mandatory minicamp in June but did attend one offseason workout in May. During the workout, Hendrickson had voiced his dissatisfaction with the pace of negotiations.

On Monday, Mike Brown, the Bengals’ owner, shared some insight about the situation at the pre-camp luncheon:

I’m not looking to offend Trey by saying something, and I’m not looking to try to justify where we are. I think we’re in a good spot. I hope this thing comes together soon.

In 2024, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and earned the Deacon Jones Award, which is given annually to the league leader in sacks. Hendrickson is the first-ever Bengal player to win the award since its establishment in 2013 and only the second-ever Bengals DE to finish a season as the sacks leader. Coy Bacon was the first to do so in 1976, though sacks weren’t an official statistic until 1982.

Since joining the Bengals, Hendrickson has recorded 57 sacks, the third most in the league over the past four seasons. His performance has made him one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers.

Frustration over his contract has reportedly grown in recent months, particularly after the team invested huge sums and extended star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase signed a $161 million contract in March, briefly making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Higgins agreed to a $115 million deal, placing him among the NFL’s top 10 highest-paid receivers. Brown explained:

We get to this point in the year, and there’s always Chase to sign, or there’s Joe Burrow to sign, this year Hendrickson to sign. That’s how the system works. We try to get it done

The Trey Hendrickson drama only adds to the Bengals’ defensive woes

The Bengals finished the 2024 season with a 9-8 record and ranked 25th in total defense, allowing 348.3 yards per game. With new coordinator Al Golden now in charge, the team is hoping to improve on that mark, but Hendrickson’s absence adds uncertainty to their preseason plans.

Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson (Image via PFN)

In his 2025 team preview, analyst Warren Sharp outlined key defensive concerns for the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the new season. While the Bengals ranked 14th in yards allowed per carry to running backs (4.3), Sharp pointed out they gave up 16 rushing touchdowns (26th) and 3.13 yards after contact per carry (24th), exposing deeper issues in run defense.

Sharp identified defensive tackle B.J. Hill as the most reliable piece up front, finishing with eight run stuffs and three sacks. However, the rest of the interior line is far less settled. Free agent signing T.J. Slaton, known for his run defense in Green Bay, saw reduced snaps in 2023. Second-year lineman Kris Jenkins is expected to compete with Slaton after a quiet rookie year.

Sharp also noted the Bengals’ struggles in the pass rush, ranking 24th in pressure rate (31.2%) and 25th in sacks (36). With Trey Hendrickson’s contract status uncertain, the team may face an even bigger gap. First-round pick Shemar Stewart was brought in to help but has contract issues of his own.

In the secondary, Cincinnati allowed 30 passing touchdowns (29th). With Dax Hill recovering from injury and few new additions, Golden faces a difficult task.

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