The Cincinnati Bengals granted All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson the opportunity to seek a trade on Thursday afternoon after two years of failed contract negotiations.
In allowing Hendrickson and his representation the opportunity to now talk to other teams, it’s the first step in the Bengals admitting they are willing and ready to move on from the four-time Pro Bowler.
Hendrickson’s representation will now be able to talk with teams looking to acquire last season’s NFL sack leader.
What’s next for Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals
The next step after Hendrickson and another team agree on a contract extension is working out the trade compensation part with the Bengals. Because Hendrickson is under contract, the Bengals get the final say on letting him walk. The trade compensation will have to be something the Bengals are comfortable with in exchange for letting him go.
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Cincinnati’s front office and Hendrickson have been unable to come to an agreement on an extension for two years. The team admitted he deserved a raise, but both sides are not close on what that number should look like, a source familiar with the situation told The Enquirer.
Trey Hendrickson stats, contract information
Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year and has been to the Pro Bowl every year he’s played in Cincinnati. As it stands now, his contract doesn’t reflect his production and that’s why he wants a new deal focused on long-term security. If he stayed with the Bengals for the upcoming season, he would be making $18.6 million and that ranks No. 12 in the NFL on an average annual basis for defensive ends.
In allowing Hendrickson to seek a trade, this is also the first big move Cincinnati’s front office has made this offseason. It now also brings a major question to the forefront: What is the team going to do to replace Hendrickson?
The Bengals will have to add multiple edge rushers in the next month to replace Hendrickson and now Sam Hubbard, who announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. Cincinnati’s defensive line is now in need of a massive overhaul infused with external talent after two seasons of mediocre play even with the NFL’s sack leader on the roster.
Where Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase contract negotiations stand with Bengals
Now with Hendrickson on the trade block, the Bengals will turn their focus to getting contract extensions done for wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. The hope – from the players – was that all three star players would get new deals and stay in Cincinnati. This doesn’t appear to be the case.
Cincinnati’s front office had a number they were comfortable spending on Hendrickson in terms of a long-term deal. It didn’t meet what Hendrickson believes he will get on the open market from another team and now he’ll get a chance to see what that looks like.
In four seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson has recorded 57 sacks. In the last two seasons in Cincinnati, Hendrickson has logged double-digit sacks. He will be in high demand from other teams now that he’s essentially a free agent pending trade compensation from another team.
