Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Requests Trade, Eyes New Contract Amid Retirement Decision
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVApril 24, 2024
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is "hopeful" the team will give him a contract extension but has requested a trade if that does not happen, agent Harold Lewis told Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Kelsey Conway @KelseyLConwayBreaking: I just spoke with Trey Hendrickson's agent, Harold Lewis, about Hendrickson's trade request. <br><br>Hendrickson is hopeful the Bengals reconsider and give him a long-term deal. If not, he wishes to be traded. Trey is also considered retirement. More to come <a href="https://twitter.com/Enquirer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Enquirer</a>
ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported Wednesday that Hendrickson requested a trade because he is "looking for more long-term security than Cincinnati has been willing to offer."
The 29-year-old is not scheduled for free agency until after the 2025 season and is set to make $14.8 million in base salary in 2024 and $15.8 million in base salary in 2025, per Spotrac.
High-profile trade requests are nothing new for the Bengals.
Offensive lineman Jonah Williams requested a trade ahead of the 2023 campaign, although he eventually backed off and appeared in all 17 games for the AFC North team. However, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason and is no longer with Cincinnati.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is entering the final season of his contract, requested a trade in March.
Schefter reported at the time that "Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He's ready to move on to a new home."
It doesn't seem like Higgins or Hendrickson are going to get their wish, though, as Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic explained:
Paul Dehner Jr. @pauldehnerjrI can confirm Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade, as <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamSchefter</a> reported. <br><br>I can also confirm the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> have zero interest in dealing him and don't intend to do so. <br><br>Just as with Tee Higgins, they are trying to win the Super Bowl this year, not deal stars.
Hendrickson just signed a one-year extension last offseason, which Field Yates of ESPN noted featured $21 million in new money, a $5 million raise for 2023 and "deserved security" for the player while the team created additional cap space.
Alas, the defensive end doesn't seem to be happy with the situation at this point.
Production on the field has not been the issue, as he has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons with Cincinnati. He was dominant in 2023 with 43 tackles, a career-best 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defended while appearing in all 17 games.
Hendrickson was a bright spot for a team that missed the playoffs and dealt with various injuries, but there is now at least a bit of uncertainty regarding his status following this development.