The Cincinnati Bengals’ long contract standoff with standout pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson has reached a temporary conclusion Monday, as the two sides reached an agreement on a one-year, $30 million contract, ESPN and NFL Network reported.
The Bengals soon confirmed that they’d agreed to a “revised contract” with Hendrickson without releasing the terms.
A $30 million deal for 2025 puts him closer to the range that other star pass rushers received this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt received the highest annual average salary ($41 million) in history for a defensive player, while Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ($40 million AAV) and Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million) also landed huge deals.
The one-year deal allows Hendrickson to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Should he perform in line with previous seasons, that would give him an opportunity for a financial windfall next year.
The four-time Pro Bowler had been seeking a new contract this offseason with more guaranteed money than the Bengals had been willing to offer to a 30-year-old player, despite his history of production with the team.
An All-Pro and runner-up for AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 after racking up 17 1/2 sacks, Hendrickson has posted five consecutive seasons with at least eight sacks. He signed with Cincinnati after breaking out for the New Orleans Saints with 13 1/2 sacks in 2020.
As a restricted free agent this offseason, Hendrickson had been in line to make $15.8 million this fall, but the player made it known publicly in May that he would not play this season without a pay increase.
Hendrickson has 77 sacks, 220 tackles and 14 forced fumbles in 110 career games (81 starts).
