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Ben Child
CINCINNATI — The Bengals resolved two main contract conditions this offseason, however a major one lingers because the staff prepares for the upcoming season.
After inking extensive receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term contracts, the scenario with star defensive finish Trey Hendrickson stays unresolved.
The NFL’s sack chief in 2024 has not participated in any voluntary exercises this offseason as he appears to be like to get a brand new contract. Final season, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, was named to The Related Press All-Professional staff and reached the Professional Bowl for the fourth straight season.
Bengals reporter Ben Child and Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler take a look at the most important questions for Hendrickson and the Bengals as Section 3 of the offseason program heads to necessary minicamp on June 10.
How did we get right here?
This yr marks the third straight yr Hendrickson has sought some kind of motion on his contract. In 2023, he signed a one-year extension that included an $8 million signing bonus. One yr later, he needed to signal a long-term deal however was rebuffed. That prompted a commerce request that went unanswered.
This offseason, Hendrickson once more requested the chance to pursue a commerce amid the dearth of a deal. However this time, it was granted. Cincinnati allowed Hendrickson to discover the market earlier than free company and the NFL draft.
In line with a supply aware of the proceedings, a number of groups initially confirmed curiosity in signing Hendrickson to a long-term contract if they might efficiently commerce for him. Nonetheless, nothing materialized, resulting in the extended negotiation between either side. — Child
What’s the buzz across the league?
Most groups agree the Bengals are in a troublesome spot due to the market realities of Hendrickson’s worth. 4 go rushers earn greater than $34 million per yr, and Hendrickson’s play as a sack chief suggests he must be in that group with Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa.
Hendrickson not solely desires correct market worth, however he desires long-term safety, which implies a one- or two-year deal most likely will not suffice.
Some across the league imagine Cincinnati will work out a method to preserve him.
“I can not see how they’ll let an awesome participant go for a draft choose, given the stress to win now,” an NFC government stated. Commerce talks have cooled, with the idea that Cincinnati both did not get a proposal together with a first-round choose or it rebuffed participating commerce gives in March. It seems like that is contract extension or bust, at the least proper now.
“I nonetheless suppose they’ll come to a compromise, getting him above that $30-million threshold whereas masking themselves,” one other NFC government stated. “The age [30] is one thing that have to be an element for them.”
If no deal happens, I’ve spoken to a number of individuals who imagine Hendrickson very properly may observe by way of on his promise to overlook video games and even the season. “He is extraordinarily dug in,” a supply stated. — Fowler
How did the market shift within the offseason have an effect on the contract talks?
A few offers this offseason have exacerbated the scenario between Cincinnati and Hendrickson. When the 2 sides talked in 2024, at a time Hendrickson believed the Bengals have been taken with rewarding a top quality season with a brand new deal, it was laborious to foretell how the contract worth for edge rushers was going to leap.
First, Garrett signed a record-breaking deal price $40 million yearly, ending his personal acrimonious standoff with the Cleveland Browns. Then the Houston Texans and Hunter agreed to an extension price $35.6 million a yr. Hunter is 30. His contract options a number of void years and successfully runs by way of 2026, however it raised the worth level additional. And Hendrickson took discover.
“Having that dialog in July of 2024 doesn’t forecast Could of 2025,” Hendrickson stated. — Child
Do the Bengals have the cap area?
The Bengals usually like to order sufficient cap area to get by way of a whole season, which results in a extra conservative strategy in comparison with different groups across the league.
So whereas Cincinnati technically has $27.6 million in cap area for 2025, not all of that’s instantly accessible for participant acquisition. For instance, when Zack Moss went down with a season-ending neck damage final season, Cincinnati was capable of purchase operating again Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears.
That being stated, the Bengals do have the mandatory area to account for bills throughout the season and a possible Hendrickson extension.
He’s set to earn $15.8 million plus $200,000 in bonuses this season. By transforming contracts and finalizing the way forward for linebacker Germaine Pratt, who represents $5.8 million in cap financial savings, Cincinnati might assemble a deal that may get Hendrickson within the vary of $28 million to $30 million yearly. — Child
Which aspect wants the opposite extra?
By far, it is the Bengals. Even when Hendrickson will get minimize, groups shall be champing on the bit to signal somebody who has a base wage of $15.8 million for 2025.
To place that in perspective, that is roughly the identical annual wage because the Chicago Bears‘ Dayo Odeyingbo (three sacks in 2024).
Final season, Hendrickson accounted for 48% of the staff’s sack whole. The Bengals notably didn’t have a great protection final season. Not having one of many NFL’s leaders in nearly each main go rush class won’t make enhancing underneath new coordinator Al Golden any simpler because the Bengals attempt to snap a two-year playoff drought. — Child
May this drag into the common season?
Completely. Hendrickson has firmly indicated that he has no want to play on his present contract. When requested point-blank if he was prepared to skip video games, he artfully danced across the query.
However the nonanswer, coupled together with his different feedback throughout a prolonged interview session with native reporters in Could, indicators that it might final into the common season. Hendrickson has already been knowledgeable he could possibly be fined if he misses the necessary minicamp. Whereas the misplaced cash might sting quickly, Hendrickson has made it very clear he has sturdy convictions about his worth and present cope with the Bengals. — Child
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If they can not get a deal accomplished, what are the opposite choices?
Hendrickson could possibly be the one who relents and performs out the ultimate yr of his deal. That will make him a free agent subsequent yr. Nonetheless, incomes a deal on the similar quantity in 2026 as he instructions this offseason is the furthest factor from a assure, contemplating Hendrickson’s age.
He might find yourself making this as bitter as potential, as Carlos Dunlap did in 2020, which left the Bengals no alternative however to commerce him in the midst of the season. If the remainder of the league is aware of Cincinnati has to eradicate a poisonous scenario, that might additionally influence the kind of commerce compensation groups are prepared to supply. — Child
How are his teammates responding to his stance?
Gamers have been principally supportive of Hendrickson’s choice to face his floor and search a brand new deal. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been considered one of his most ardent backers.
Nonetheless, Burrow did have an fascinating remark when requested about Hendrickson’s scenario. “Similar to anyone, I am certain there’s issues he’d prefer to have again,” Burrow stated on Could 20. “He is very properly thought out in his course of and what he is making an attempt to do. If he thinks that is the best way to go, then that is the best way to go.”
Fellow teammates need Hendrickson to be rewarded for what he has dropped at the staff, and the locker room as properly. “He is a tremendous participant, man,” Chase stated Tuesday. “I imply, everybody sees it. All of us see what he does to this staff, the power he introduced again the day he got here in.
“Everyone knows he deserves it.” — Child
