Reigning NFL sacks leader Trey Hendrickson appears to have reached “disgruntled” status in his efforts to negotiate a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end told ESPN on Monday that “no communication has taken place between my camp and the organization” since the April 24-26 draft.
“The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level,” Hendrickson said in a statement. “Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
Hendrickson, 30, certainly played at a high level. He led the NFL and matched his career high with 17.5 sacks in 17 starts last season, adding 46 tackles and 36 quarterback hits with two forced fumbles.
He has one year remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2023 with a base salary of $15.8 million for 2025.
ESPN recently reported that Hendrickson is expected to hold out if an agreement isn’t reached by training camp.
The news earlier this offseason out of Cincinnati had been mixed, with both sides initially agreeing to look for a potential trade partner back in early March.
Negotiations reportedly resumed later that month after the Bengals signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to extensions worth $161 million and $115 million, respectively.
Hendrickson’s market value has climbed this offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders signing Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million deal and the Cleveland Browns keeping Myles Garrett with a four-year, $160 million contract.
Hendrickson has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons in Cincinnati. He has 77 career sacks in 110 games (81 starts) with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.
