The Cincinnati Bengals ought to have veteran pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson within the lineup for his or her Week 1 recreation on the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 7 after he accepted a revised contract that gave him a $14M pay increase for the 2025 season.
That mentioned, Hendrickson stays on monitor to grow 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 following league 12 months opens in March 2026.
“We’re taking at some point at a time,” Hendrickson mentioned about his unsettled future, per Geoff Hobson of the Bengals’ web site. “Transferring ahead, we’ll determine that out because it goes. For this season, to be given a increase 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 having the ability to get after quarterbacks. I like this metropolis and with what’s been occurring the final couple of months, I’ve had time to mirror 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 accrued extra regular-season sacks (35) than every other participant because the begin of the 2023 marketing campaign. His potential to trouble quarterbacks is why Cincinnati needed to retain his rights by means of the upcoming season. Nevertheless, the truth that he turns 31 years outdated in December appears to be the largest cause why the franchise reportedly wasn’t willing to connect assured cash to his deal past 2025.
“Cincinnati might, theoretically, use a franchise tag on Hendrickson within the spring, however it might be wildly costly,” Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic wrote for a bit revealed Tuesday morning. “Subsequent 12 months’s tag can be 120 p.c 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 will not be occurring, however the cash isn’t as essential because the message already despatched: The membership doesn’t at the moment 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 feels like Hendrickson is dedicated to serving to Cincinnati pursue a return to postseason play though it seems possible he’ll have a distinct NFL house presently subsequent summer time.
“There is a large quantity of respect for the backwards and forwards we had and the numerous occasions of making an attempt to make issues work on multiple-year extensions all the best way right down to the increase,” Hendrickson added. “And what is sensible for the household on the time, and what was introduced to us. That is what’s greatest for not solely the 2025 Bengals, but in addition for my household personally. It is a large honor to get a increase and be revered for what I do.”
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