Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson will reportedly skip mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute. View the latest updates below.
Trey Hendrickson Will Hold Out
Sources: NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, who has not received the new contract he has been looking for, is not attending the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/jSNQvt3qsc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2025
Unsurprisingly, Hendrickson will not attend the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday.
Hendrickson and the Bengals have been in a standoff for the entire offseason. Because of the contract dispute, Hendrickson has not participated in any OTAs.
The All-Pro rusher showed up to one practice to speak with the media about his contract situation. To put it lightly, Hendrickson is unhappy with how things are going.
“We’re just not seeing eye to eye on the structure,” Hendrickson told reporters (via Charlie Clifford). “I’m very disappointed with the communication that’s been had.”
The Bengals want to re-sign Hendrickson to a short-term deal.
However, Hendrickson has been clear from the start that he wants a long-term deal with the Bengals. If Cincinnati is unwilling to meet his demands, then Hendrickson would like to be traded.
Several teams were rumored to have an interest in trading for Hendrickson, but Cincinnati’s asking price was reportedly too high.
Hendrickson is coming off his best season as a professional. The 30-year-old led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and made first-team All-Pro. Since ing the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson has been an elite edge rusher with 57 total sacks and four Pro Bowl appearances.
Trey Hendrickson just spoke for 22 minutes. Says he will not play this season on his current contract.
His arrival today at voluntary OTAs is a result of things becoming “personal” after being informed by Zac Taylor on Monday he would be fined for missing mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/M5dJ7Vko2r
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) May 13, 2025
Trey Hendrickson Contract Details
Projected breakdown of a 3 year, $100M contract extension for #Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson that includes $32M in 2025 (double his current salary), and $59M practically guaranteed through 2026. pic.twitter.com/xzthdGCk5R
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 10, 2025
Hendrickson is set to make a base salary of $15.8 million in 2025, the final year of his contract.
Hendrickson’s play on the field is certainly worthy of a raise. The NFL’s sack leader from a season ago does not even crack the top 10 for highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history with a four-year, $160 million contract extension.
Hendrickson is not going to get that contract from Cincinnati. However, a player of Hendrickson’s caliber should be making at least $30 million per year.
By skipping the minicamp, the Bengals can fine Hendrickson over $104,000. Hendrickson has threatened to sit out games if he doesn’t get a new contract. Training camp in July is the next important date to keep an eye on.
