Bengals Agree Reworked $30M Deal with Trey Hendrickson Ending Holdout

The Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson have agreed to a reworked one-year contract for the 2025 season, raising his base salary from $16 million to $30 million. Despite trade rumors and a holdout during training camp and preseason, Hendrickson will play the upcoming season in Cincinnati but remains set to become a free agent in 2026. The deal stops short of a long-term extension, as Hendrickson sought guaranteed money beyond 2025, which the Bengals were reluctant to provide. Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks in 2024 and earned All-Pro honors, had previously requested a trade and voiced frustrations publicly during contract talks. Bengals owner Mike Brown confirmed the team's intent was always to keep Hendrickson, and the new agreement ends months of negotiations. Hendrickson's 2025 salary will make him one of the highest-paid defenders in the league, while the Bengals may use the franchise tag on him in 2026.