The Cincinnati Bengals defense has been in limbo but one of their leaders will be back in the fold. According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Bengals and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson reached an agreement to keep him in Cincinnati for one more year.
The revised deal increases Hendrickson’s 2025 salary by $14 million, meaning he’ll make $30 million this season. He’ll have the opportunity to cash in once again after the season, as he’ll be a free agent. Hendrickson has been one of the best defenders in the NFL and now he’ll be paid as such. The NFL’s sack leader from a year ago with 17.5 is now back to hopefully help the Bengals’ defense improve after a disappointing 2024. The unit has been under heavy scrutiny, as they’ve cost the Bengals plenty of games last season.
Hendrickson has 35 sacks over the last two seasons, posting 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024. The former third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints has put together four double-digit sack seasons, while also being named to the Pro Bowl every year since 2021.
This is an interesting scenario, as the hold-in ends for now. Hendrickson being able to potentially hit the open market in the offseason isn’t exactly the solution many had hoped for. That is, if Cincinnati even lets him get to that point. Usually, long-term deals are usually agreed upon as Week 1 inches closer. Just hours earlier, the Washington Commanders inked star receiver Terry McLaurin to a three-year, $96 million deal after his hold-in went successful.
As the Bengals prepare to take on the rival Cleveland Browns in 13 days, a sigh of relief was heard all over Cincinnati as Hendrickson will be on the field.