Trey Hendrickson is going on the attack to get his new contract.
The standout edge rusher showed up to Cincinnati’s offseason workouts, not to get work in, but to hold media availability.
The content of that session with reporters was centered around Hendrickson’s holdout for a new contract extension. He’s entering the final year of his deal making $15.8 million this season.
The defensive end made it clear he will not play this season under his current contract.
So will Hendrickson and the Bengals come to an agreement before the season begins? It seems more unlikely by the day.
Will Trey Hendrickson sit out week 1?
According to Hendrickson, Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor texted him to inform the 2024 All-Pro that he would be fined if he didn’t attend mandatory minicamp from June 10-12.
Hendrickson said that was a sign that there are no plans to ink him to a long-term deal anytime soon.
“The only thing that alluded to fines in my book was the text I got yesterday from Zac. That was the first time that — I knew fines are there, we clearly saw that on multiple fronts since I’ve been here, so fines are a part of the NFL, right?” Hendrickson said.
“I thought this was a little early to talk about fines, personally,” he added.
If the Bengals have no plans to extend the edge rusher in the coming month, it shows a lack of urgency from their front office.
Hendrickson led the league in sacks last season (18) and would likely command top-3 money at his position. Myles Garrett is atop the list of defensive ends with a 4-year, $160 million deal he signed this offseason.
The Ringer NFL Show discussed Hendrickson’s potential holdout on a recent episode.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not participating in the preseason, we get to week one, week two, he doesn’t play, the defense gets run off the field a couple times, and now they’ve got to at least come to the table,” co-host Diante Lee said.
This route would be similar to Kansas City’s Chris Jones, who held out week 1 of 2023 before being signed to a new deal. Just like Hendrickson, Jones was public with his feelings throughout the negotiation.
Unlike Jones, Hendrickson is with a franchise that’s notorious for being stingy with its best players.
“With any other team I’d just assume he’s going to be there week one and play,” co-host Steven Ruiz added. “I remember the Carson Palmer thing where Carson Palmer and them (Bengals) played chicken and Palmer just went home.”
Trey Hendrickson just spoke for 22 minutes. Says he will not play this season on his current contract.
His arrival today at voluntary OTAs is a result of things becoming “personal” after being informed by Zac Taylor on Monday he would be fined for missing mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/M5dJ7Vko2r
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) May 13, 2025
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Palmer threatened retirement in 2011 after demanding a trade from the Bengals. He never played another game for Cincinnati and eventually was traded to the Raiders.
It might not be as dramatic with Hendrickson, but anything is on the table.
As of now, it’s more likely we see the All-Pro in street clothes than a uniform for the Bengals week 1 versus the Cleveland Browns.
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