Trey Hendrickson could miss entire 2025 NFL season if Bengals don’t offer extension

The Cincinnati Bengals could be in for a serious defensive dilemma as franchise pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is said to be willing to miss the entire 2025 season if he fails to get an extension. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler broke the news that Hendrickson is actually weighing a holdout unless the Bengals commit to a better contract that honors his dominant play.


Trey Hendrickson, who has one more year left on his contract, is already due to receive a base salary of $15.8 million with a cap hit of $21 million in 2025. But following a tremendous 2024 season where he accumulated 17.5 sacks and made his first All-Pro pick, the defensive end thinks he merits a big pay increase.
Jeremy Fowler reported, “I think it’s entirely possible, based on what I’m hearing, for him to sit out the year if he doesn’t get a new deal. I think that’s his mindset right now” If the Bengals don’t renegotiate his contract, Hendrickson is ready to hold out, which could leave Cincinnati without its best pass rusher.

While Hendrickson’s demand for a pay raise is understandable given his elite performance, the Bengals have already allocated significant funds to other key players. Fans believe Trey should stand his ground after delivering such an impressive season.

In the past year, they have signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive contract extensions worth a combined $276 million over four years. With quarterback Joe Burrow also locked into a long-term, high-value deal, the team is facing salary cap constraints.

This financial situation has made negotiations with Hendrickson challenging. Although the Bengals have granted him permission to explore trade opportunities, their high asking price—reportedly a first-round pick—has made it difficult for teams to strike a deal. The Indianapolis Colts have been mentioned as a potential landing spot, but no significant trade talks have emerged.

If Hendrickson does come through with a holdout, it would be significant for him and the Bengals. For Hendrickson, sitting out the entire season could damage his value in the long run, since teams would not want to sign a player who has been sidelined for so long.For the Bengals, losing Hendrickson would be a massive loss to their defensive line. He's been their most efficient pass rusher, and without him, their pass-rushing unit would lose a big part of its potency. With the AFC loaded with great offenses, such as Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs and Josh Allen's Bills, the Bengals don't need to weaken their defensive line.
With the upcoming 2025 NFL season already upon us, everyone will be watching Cincinnati to determine how they address this situation of high drama.
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