Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals are nearing an agreement on a new deal.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the two sides were closing in on a deal that would make him one of the league’s highest-paid defenders in 2025.
Hendrickson is slated to receive a $14 million raise for this year, making his salary for 2025 $30 million, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Even with the agreement, Hendrickson is still set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
The deal came together with just 13 days until the Bengals’ season kicks off and finally ends the saga with Hedrickson, who was the NFL sack leader with 17.5 in 2024.
He turns 31 in December and had been slated to make $16 million this upcoming season with the Bengals.
Speaking with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge last week, Hedrickson said that the sticking point was the guaranteed money and that they agreed on just about everything else.
“Hendrickson wanted to make it very clear, though, he said, ‘I don’t feel sorry for myself,’” Rutledge reported during an Aug. 18 preseason game. “His quote was, ‘I’m a very blessed man, and I trust in God’s plan here.’ He also pointed to the Bengals logo on his shirt and said, ‘This place means a lot to me. I’m still wearing this logo proudly.’ And he said he just wants to do the very best he can to help this defense out.”
