On Wednesday, Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson made a formal request for a trade, as confirmed by his agent, Harold Lewis, in an ESPN report. Lewis emphasized that Hendrickson’s request stems from a desire for a more secure, long-term investment from the franchise, following a one-year extension agreement reached last year.
The extension, valued at $21 million with an $8 million signing bonus, according to Roster Management System, reflected Hendrickson’s standout performance as one of the league’s premier defensive ends. Now, after another stellar season, Hendrickson aims to negotiate a lucrative deal once again.
Lewis disclosed that discussions regarding a potential trade were held during a two-hour meeting with the Bengals in March. Despite the team’s indication of interest in renegotiating Hendrickson’s contract next year, extending through the 2025 season, they expressed reluctance towards a trade.
Sources close to the situation, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, confirm Cincinnati’s lack of interest in trading Hendrickson, a sentiment echoed by the team.
Hendrickson’s impressive on-field achievements in 2023, including finishing second in the NFL for sacks with 17.5, highlight his pivotal role in the Bengals’ defense. Advanced metrics further underscore his dominance, positioning him among the league’s elite edge rushers.
However, despite his stellar performance, Hendrickson’s contract numbers do not align with his on-field contributions. His extension, signed in 2023, ranked comparatively lower in average annual value among edge rushers, according to OverTheCap.com data.
Since signing a four-year, $60 million deal in 2021, Hendrickson has consistently exceeded expectations, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his first three seasons with Cincinnati. His impact on the team extends beyond statistics, demonstrating resilience by playing through injuries and contributing to the Bengals’ success in the AFC North.
Hendrickson’s trade request follows a similar move by wide receiver Tee Higgins earlier in the offseason, though Higgins later expressed commitment to playing for the Bengals this season.
Lewis emphasized that Hendrickson’s request isn’t solely motivated by financial gain but rather by a desire for recognition commensurate with his contributions to the team. Hendrickson’s dedication and perseverance, both on and off the field, underscore his value to the Bengals organization.
“I have a lot of respect for the organization,” Lewis said. “[Vice president] Troy Blackburn’s a good guy and he’s running a family business over there. But every player wants security. They want to know that they’re going to be around there for a while. This is a vicious game.”
