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Ben Child
CINCINNATI — The Bengals resolved two main contract conditions this offseason, however a big one lingers because the crew prepares for the upcoming season.
After inking vast receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term contracts, the state of affairs with star defensive finish Trey Hendrickson stays unresolved.
The NFL’s sack chief in 2024 has not participated in any voluntary exercises this offseason as he seems to get a brand new contract. Final season, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, was named to The Related Press All-Professional crew and reached the Professional Bowl for the fourth straight season.
Bengals reporter Ben Child and Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler take a look at the most important questions for Hendrickson and the Bengals as Section 3 of the offseason program heads to necessary minicamp on June 10.
How did we get right here?
This yr marks the third straight yr Hendrickson has sought some type of motion on his contract. In 2023, he signed a one-year extension that included an $8 million signing bonus. One yr later, he needed to signal a long-term deal however was rebuffed. That prompted a commerce request that went unanswered.
This offseason, Hendrickson once more requested the chance to pursue a commerce amid the dearth of a deal. However this time, it was granted. Cincinnati allowed Hendrickson to discover the market earlier than free company and the NFL draft.
In line with a supply aware of the proceedings, a number of groups initially confirmed curiosity in signing Hendrickson to a long-term contract if they may efficiently commerce for him. Nonetheless, nothing materialized, resulting in the extended negotiation between each side. — Child
What’s the buzz across the league?
Most groups agree the Bengals are in a troublesome spot due to the market realities of Hendrickson’s worth. 4 cross rushers earn greater than $34 million per yr, and Hendrickson’s play as a sack chief suggests he needs to be in that group with Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa.
Hendrickson not solely desires correct market worth, however he desires long-term safety, which suggests a one- or two-year deal most likely will not suffice.
Some across the league imagine Cincinnati will work out a option to hold him.
“I am unable to see how they’ll let an incredible participant go for a draft choose, given the strain to win now,” an NFC government stated. Commerce talks have cooled, with the idea that Cincinnati both did not get a suggestion together with a first-round choose or it rebuffed participating commerce gives in March. It seems like that is contract extension or bust, no less than proper now.
“I nonetheless suppose they’ll come to a compromise, getting him above that $30-million threshold whereas protecting themselves,” one other NFC government stated. “The age [30] is one thing that should be an element for them.”
If no deal happens, I’ve spoken to a number of individuals who imagine Hendrickson very properly would possibly comply with by means of on his promise to overlook video games and even the season. “He is extraordinarily dug in,” a supply stated. — Fowler
How did the market shift within the offseason have an effect on the contract talks?
A few offers this offseason have exacerbated the state of affairs between Cincinnati and Hendrickson. When the 2 sides talked in 2024, at a time Hendrickson believed the Bengals have been all for rewarding a high quality season with a brand new deal, it was onerous to foretell how the contract worth for edge rushers was going to leap.
First, Garrett signed a record-breaking deal value $40 million yearly, ending his personal acrimonious standoff with the Cleveland Browns. Then the Houston Texans and Hunter agreed to an extension value $35.6 million a yr. Hunter is 30. His contract options a number of void years and successfully runs by means of 2026, however it raised the worth level additional. And Hendrickson took discover.
“Having that dialog in July of 2024 doesn’t forecast Could of 2025,” Hendrickson stated. — Child
Do the Bengals have the cap area?
The Bengals usually like to order sufficient cap area to get by means of a complete season, which ends up in a extra conservative method in comparison with different groups across the league.
So whereas Cincinnati technically has $27.6 million in cap area for 2025, not all of that’s instantly accessible for participant acquisition. For instance, when Zack Moss went down with a season-ending neck damage final season, Cincinnati was in a position to purchase working again Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears.
That being stated, the Bengals do have the required area to account for bills throughout the season and a possible Hendrickson extension.
He’s set to earn $15.8 million plus $200,000 in bonuses this season. By transforming contracts and finalizing the way forward for linebacker Germaine Pratt, who represents $5.8 million in cap financial savings, Cincinnati might assemble a deal that may get Hendrickson within the vary of $28 million to $30 million yearly. — Child
Which facet wants the opposite extra?
By far, it is the Bengals. Even when Hendrickson will get reduce, groups will probably be champing on the bit to signal somebody who has a base wage of $15.8 million for 2025.
To place that in perspective, that is roughly the identical annual wage because the Chicago Bears‘ Dayo Odeyingbo (three sacks in 2024).
Final season, Hendrickson accounted for 48% of the crew’s sack complete. The Bengals notably didn’t have protection final season. Not having one of many NFL’s leaders in just about each main cross rush class is not going to make enhancing underneath new coordinator Al Golden any simpler because the Bengals attempt to snap a two-year playoff drought. — Child
May this drag into the common season?
Completely. Hendrickson has firmly indicated that he has no need to play on his present contract. When requested point-blank if he was keen to skip video games, he artfully danced across the query.
However the nonanswer, coupled along with his different feedback throughout a prolonged interview session with native reporters in Could, indicators that it might final into the common season. Hendrickson has already been knowledgeable he could possibly be fined if he misses the necessary minicamp. Whereas the misplaced cash might sting quickly, Hendrickson has made it very clear he has robust convictions about his worth and present cope with the Bengals. — Child
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Ryan Clark explains why it’s crucial that the Bengals do not get off to a sluggish begin once more.
If they cannot get a deal accomplished, what are the opposite choices?
Hendrickson could possibly be the one who relents and performs out the ultimate yr of his deal. That will make him a free agent subsequent yr. Nonetheless, incomes a deal on the similar quantity in 2026 as he instructions this offseason is the furthest factor from a assure, contemplating Hendrickson’s age.
He might find yourself making this as bitter as attainable, as Carlos Dunlap did in 2020, which left the Bengals no alternative however to commerce him in the course of the season. If the remainder of the league is aware of Cincinnati has to eradicate a poisonous state of affairs, that might additionally influence the kind of commerce compensation groups are keen to supply. — Child
How are his teammates responding to his stance?
Gamers have been principally supportive of Hendrickson’s determination to face his floor and search a brand new deal. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been one in all his most ardent backers.
Nonetheless, Burrow did have an attention-grabbing remark when requested about Hendrickson’s state of affairs. “Similar to anyone, I am positive there’s issues he’d wish to have again,” Burrow stated on Could 20. “He is very properly thought out in his course of and what he is attempting to do. If he thinks that is the best way to go, then that is the best way to go.”
Fellow teammates need Hendrickson to be rewarded for what he has dropped at the crew, and the locker room as properly. “He is an incredible participant, man,” Chase stated Tuesday. “I imply, everybody sees it. All of us see what he does to this crew, the vitality he introduced again the day he got here in.
“Everyone knows he deserves it.” — Child