The Cincinnati Bengals are finding themselves in a high-stakes contract standoff with one of their defensive stars, Trey Hendrickson, as the pass rusher reportedly isn’t satisfied with the team’s latest offer — despite it being a massive raise.
Hendrickson, who is set to earn $16 million this season, has been offered a staggering $28 million per year, according to NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. While the number itself turns heads, it appears the issue isn’t just the cash — it’s the structure of the deal.
“Whatever the amount (and, as importantly, the structure), he wants more,” Florio reported.
This development throws a spotlight on Cincinnati’s offseason strategy. With the Bengals aiming to keep their core together and make another playoff push, retaining a force like Hendrickson is crucial — but clearly not simple. The defensive end has been a game-changer since joining the Bengals and is now leveraging that impact into contract power.
Fans are now left wondering: will the Bengals sweeten the deal to keep their star happy, or could tension lead to a surprise shakeup?
