Bengals Give Trey Hendrickson Permission To Seek Trade
Why are they doing this? You can’t help to ask the question since he is one of the best players on their team and in the league. After all he is the NFL’s leader in sacks having corralled 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. But in spite of all of that the Cincinnati Bengals have given defensive end Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. It would appear that the Bengals are having to choose between the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
The Bengals have been struggling to sign their top wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But negotiations have not been going well for the receivers or Henderson according to NFL Insider Ari Merov. “If they want to keep all three players, they got to get to $40 million per year for Ja’Marr, $30 million per year for Tee, and about $32 to $33 million for Trey,” Meirov told the Drop the Mic podcast. “They’re nowhere close on all three right now.” Just this week the Bengals placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins again and aren’t seriously listening to any trade offers.
Therefore, the Bengals appear to be all in on the offensive side of the ball. But that doesn’t mean that they will be able to get their receivers signed. Traditionally, the organization doesn’t hand out big contracts. Which is what they will have to do to keep their star pass-catchers. Whereas Hendrickson is headed into the final year of his contract and set to draw a base salary of $15.8 million while counting for $18.67 million against the Bengals’ salary cap. Trading him will save $16 million on their books.
Bengals Give Trey Hendrickson Permission To Seek Trade
However, if they are willing to let Hendrickson walk he’ll have no shortage of suitors. During his four years with the Bengals he picked up 57 sacks. His 2024 season was impressive in which he was named a First Team All-Pro. And finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Hendrickson shared his thoughts with ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter:
“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”
According to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz teams are already taking note of the trade request. Schultz reveals via social media, “Sources: The Falcons, like the Commanders, have also been monitoring the Trey Hendrickson situation. With his trade request now official, more teams are getting involved in the Bengals’ All-Pro pass DE.”
Bengals Legend Sam Hubbard Announced His Retirement
However, in other Bengals news, “The Cincinnati Kid,” Sam Hubbard announced his retirement after seven seasons. He is the last of the players in the league who played for former head coach Marvin Lewis. Lewis had praise for the defensive end: “A great career,” Lewis said. “Obviously, the plays he made during the run to the Super Bowl were incredible. But the most important thing is he’s just an outstanding person, teammate, gave it his all. I wish him the very best.”
Hubbard and Hendrickson will go down in history as the bookend Bash Brothers at defensive end on the Super Bowl defense. “It was an honor and privilege to play beside him,” said Hendrickson, the NFL reigning sack leader who teamed with Hubbard for 79 sacks, the most of any pair of ends on the same team since 2021.
As one can see, Trey Hendrickson’s résumé speaks for itself. And it’s excellent. So quite a bit of change is happening in Cincinnati and we’ll keep you updated as it plays out.
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