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Ben Baby
Cincinnati – the Bengals Resolved Two Major Contract Situations This offseason, but a significant one lingers as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
After inking wide recevers Ja’arrr chase And Tee higgins To long-term contracts, the situation with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson Remains unresolved.
The Nfl’s Sack Leader in 2024 has not participated in any voluntary workouts this offseason as he looked to get a new contrast. Last Season, Hendrickson Led the Nfl with 17.5 sacks, was named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team and Reply the Pro Bowl for the Fourth Season.
Bengals Reporter Ben Baby and National Reporter Jeremy Fowler Look at the Biggest Questions for Hendrickson and the Bengals as Phase 3 of the Mandatory Minicamp On June 10.
How did we get here?
This year marks the Third Straight Year Hendrickson has sought some sort of action on his contrast. In 2023, he signed a one-year extension that included an $ 8 million signing bonus. One year later, he wanted to sign a long-term deal but was rebuffed. That prompted a trade request that want unanswered.
This offseason, Hendrickson Again Requested the Opposition to Pursue a Trade Amid The Lack of a Deal. But this time, it was granted. Cincinnati allowed hendrickson to explore the market beef free agency and the Nfl Draft.
According to a source family with the process, Sever Teams Initially showed interest in signing hendrickson to a long-term contrast if they are successfully traded for him. However, nothing materialized, leading to the prolonged negotiation Betowen Both sides. – Baby
What is the buzz is the league?
Most Teams Agree The Bengals are in a tough spot because of the market realities of hendrickson’s value. Four Pass Rushers Earn More Than $ 34 Million Per Year, And Hendrickson’s Play as a Sack Leader Suggests He Should Be In That Group With Myles garrett, Danielle hunter, MAXX CROSBY And Nick bosa.
Hendrickson Not Only Wants Proper Market Value, But He Wants Long-Term Security, Which Means A One-or Two-Year Deal Probably Won “t Suffice.
Some Around the league believe cincinnati will figure out a way to keep him.
“I can get how they can let a great player go for a draft pick, given the press to win now,” an nfc executive. Trade talks have cooled, with the belief that cincinnati either don get an offfering a first-round pick or it rebuffed engaging trade offers in March. It feels like this is contract extension or bust, at last right now.
“I still think they can come to a compromise, geting him above that $ 30-million threshold while covering themselves,” Another NFC executive said. “The age [30] Is Something that must be a factor for them. “
If no Deal Occurs, I’ve spoken to several peoplay who believe hendrickson very well might follow to miss games or even the sea. “He’s extremely dug in,” a source said. – fowler
How did the market shift in the offseason affection the contrect talks?
A couple of deals this offseason has exacerbated the situation betway cincinnati and hendrickson. When the two sides talked in 2024, at a time hendrickson believed the bengals be interested in rewarding a quality se, with a new deal, it was hard to Predict how the contract value for edge rushers. Going to jump.
FIRST, GARRTT signed a record-breaking Deal Worth $ 40 million annually, ending his own agricultural standoff with the Cleveland browns. Then the HOUSTON TEXANS And hunter agre to an extension worth of $ 35.6 million a year. Hunter is 30. And Hendrickson Took Notice.
“Having that conversation in July 2024 does not forecast may of 2025,” Hendrickson Said. – Baby
Do the bengals have the cap space?
The bengals type like to reserve Enough Cap Space to get through an entire season, which leaves to a more conservative application to other times arrested.
So where cincinnati technically has $ 27.6 million in Cap space for 2025, not all of that is immedient available for player action. For Example, when Zack moss Went down with a season-ending neck injury last season, cincinnati was able to account run back Khalil herbert from the Chicago bears.
That being sa, the bengals do has the next space to account for expenses during the sea and a potential hendrickson extension.
He is set to earn $ 15.8 Million Plus $ 200,000 in this bonuses this season. By reworking contracts and finalizing the Future of Linebacker Germaine prattWho represents $ 5.8 million in Cap savings, cincinnati could construct a deal that can get hendrickson in the range of $ 30 million to $ 30 million annually. – Baby
Which side needs the other more?
By Far, it’s the bengals. Even if hendrickson gets cut, tims will be champaging at the bit to sign someone who has a base salary of $ 15.8 million for 2025.
To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the same annual salary as the Chicago bears” Dayo Odoyingbo (Three sacks in 2024).
Last Season, Hendrickson Accounted for 48% of the Team’s Sack Total. The bengals notably did not have a good defense last season. Not hassed one of the nfl’s leaders in virtually every Major Pass Rush Category Will Not Make Improving Under New Cordinator Al Golden Any Easier as the Bengals Tree to Snap A Two-PLAYOFFF Droughht. – Baby
Could this drag into the regular season?
Absolutely. Hendrickson has firmly indicated that he has no desire to play on his current contrast. When asked points-blank if he was willing to skip games, he artfully danced around the question.
But the nonanswer, coupled with his other comments during a lengthy interview session with local reporters in may, signals that it is last to be the regular season. Hendrickson Hasear Be Informed He could be fined if he misses the mandatory minicamp. While the list of money could be sting temperarily, hendrickson has made it very clear he has stong convictions about His Value and Current Deal with the bengals. – Baby
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If they can get a deal done, what are the other options?
Hendrickson could be the one who relents and plays out of the final year of His Deal. That would make him a free agent next year. However, Earning a Deal at the Same Amount in 2026 as he commands this offseason is the furthest thing from a guarantee, considering hendrickson’s age.
He could end up making this as a bitter as Possible, as Carlos dunlap Did in 2020, which left the bengals no choice but to be trade him in the milde of the season. If the rest of the league knows cincinnati has to eradicate a toxic situation, that could also impact of trade compensation tims to offer. – Baby
How are he Teammates responding to his stance?
Players have been in most support of Hendrickson’s Decision to Stand His Ground and Seek a New Deal. Quarterback Joe burrow Has be one of his most ardent backers.
However, Burrow Did has an interesting comment when asked about Hendrickson’s Situation. “Just like anybody, I am sure there are things he’d like to have back,” Burrow Said on May 20. “He is very well in his process and what he try to do. Then that’s the way to go. “
Fellow Teammates Want Hendrickson to be rewarded for what he brought to the type, and the locker room as well. “He’s an amazing player, man,” chase re tuesday. “I mean, Everyone What he does to this team, the energy he broght back the day he came in.
“We all know he deserves it.” – Baby
