Bengals Secure Trey Hendrickson 1-Year $30M Extension

The Cincinnati Bengals have secured a crucial contract agreement with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, raising his salary to $30 million for the 2025 season after a summer marked by holdouts and trade demands. Hendrickson, who led the league with 17.5 sacks last year, is seen as the defensive cornerstone, providing leadership and a feared presence on the field, which the Bengals desperately need to improve their struggling defense. Despite the substantial pay raise, the deal is a one-year agreement, leaving Hendrickson eligible for unrestricted free agency next season and casting uncertainty on his long-term future with the team. The Bengals, balancing massive investments in key players like Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, managed to allocate enough cap space for this short-term deal but face challenges managing their salary cap going forward. Both Hendrickson and the Bengals appear content with the compromise, as the team avoided a prolonged holdout and preserved a key defensive asset while Hendrickson secured a significant immediate pay increase. The 2025 season will be pivotal for both Hendrickson and the Bengals as they strive to improve defensively and contend for success with this renewed partnership.