The Cincinnati Bengals are set to kick off their offseason programs. They are also ready to shock the NFL community in this week’s draft, but they themselves were blindsided by news of Trey Hendrickson’s trade request. Despite recent contract negotiations, the Pro Bowl defensive end is seeking more long-term security, as confirmed by his agent, Harold Lewis.
The veteran and his agent discussed the possibility of a trade with Bengals management last month. While the team expressed willingness to revisit his contract next year, he is eager for immediate reassurance about his future beyond the upcoming two seasons.
Hendrickson’s discontent stems from a perceived disparity between his on-field performance, especially his sack records, and his contract value. He delivered at an elite level last season, but his contract extension in 2023 places him outside the top tier of edge rushers in terms of average annual value. His previous one-year contract extension was valued at $21 million with an $8 million signing bonus.
The defensive star isn’t fixated on becoming the highest-paid player in his position. Rather, he seeks recognition for his contributions, including his resilience following an injury in 2022. However, sources revealed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Cincy remains steadfast in retaining the talented defensive end and is not entertaining trade offers.
Trey Hendrickson’s performance in the 2023 season
Trey Hendrickson emerged as a dominant force on the field as an edge rusher for the Bengals in the 2023 season. His standout performance saw him finish the season with an impressive 17.5 sacks, cementing his place as one of the top pass rushers in the league.
The veteran’s sack total was second only to T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is the highest recorded by a Bengals player since the inception of official sack statistics in 1982. His impact went beyond just sacks, as he also ranked 11th in pass rush win rate.
One of the most impressive aspects of Hendrickson’s game was his ability to disrupt opposing offenses early on. When he applied pressure, opponents’ completion rate plummeted to a mere 26.7%. His knack for generating sacks was evident in his creation of the second-most sacks in the league. The football prodigy trails only the Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones in this regard, who recently inked a blockbuster contract. The Bengals should do the same with Trey Hendrickson to value his on-field excellence.
