Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks a year ago with 17.5. He’s entering the final year of his contract with the team and was given permission to seek a trade this offseason.
Prior to the draft, Hendrickson and the Bengals seemed far apart on an extension. Cincinnati did hand out two major extensions on offense this offseason to top wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the former becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
But over the last month, things haven’t improved for the reigning sack leader.
Hendrickson said in a statement to ESPN that no communication has taken place since the 2025 NFL Draft finished on April 26.
‘The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level,’ the statement continued. ‘Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
This goes against prior reporting that the two sides had talked since the draft. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said in an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on May 8 that there had been communication between Hendrickson and the franchise.
‘He made his point, I think it was received, very received,’ Rapoport said. ‘There has been some communication between the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson since that interview, since the draft, like there have been talks.’
Hendrickson has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the Bengals (2021-24). He was a first-team All-Pro last year and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Cincinnati drafted Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many saw that as a move to eventually replace Hendrickson on the edge.
‘(Cincinnati) picked Shemar Stewart off the edge,’ Rapoport said on May 8. ‘I think (Hendrickson) understands that.’
Trey Hendrickson stats
Hendrickson was drafted in the third round, No. 103 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed with the Bengals in the 2021 offseason and was a key part of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run.
Since he signed with the Bengals, only Myles Garrett (60.0) and T.J. Watt (58.5) have more sacks then Hendrickson. Here’s how he’s performed every year with the Bengals:
2021 (16 games): 14.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits
2022 (15 games): 8.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, 24 quarterback hits
2023 (17 games): 17.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, 25 quarterback hits
2024 (17 games): 17.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, six passes defensed, 36 quarterback hits
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Could Steelers, Saints have all-time worst QB rooms?
