Bengals Plan Extension for Star DE Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has led the NFL in sacks for two consecutive seasons with a total of 17.5 sacks, is entering the final year of his contract. Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin acknowledged that Hendrickson has earned a pay raise, emphasizing that while the team intends to reward him, negotiations may be challenging. Hendrickson's current contract makes him the 12th highest-paid defensive end in the league, significantly lower than top earners like Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt. With a salary cap hit of $18.6 million for the 2024 season, the Bengals face a tough decision as they also prioritize extensions for star players Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The situation is complicated further by Hendrickson's previous trade request over contract dissatisfaction. As the offseason progresses, both sides must find common ground to secure Hendrickson's future with the team.