Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Talks NFL Trade Rumors Amid Failed Contract Talks

Trey Hendrickson holds no ill will toward the Cincinnati Bengals as he continues to pursue a trade amid a contract stalemate between the two sides.

Speaking to Olivia Ray of WLWT in Cincinnati, Hendrickson said there's no frustration because this situation "gives me an opportunity to prove my worth" and it's "been a heck of a ride" with the Bengals over the past four seasons.

Hendrickson said in a statement to ESPN's Adam Schefter the Bengals have granted him permission to seek a trade. He originally came to Cincinnati on a four-year, $60 million free-agent contract in March 2021.

The Bengals gave Hendrickson a one-year extension in July 2023 that runs through the 2025 season. He hasn't been happy with his contract since last offseason, reportedly even threatening to retire if no agreement could be reached.

Even though nothing came of that threat, the Bengals have opened the door now to letting Hendrickson see what's out there. It would also benefit them to potentially trade him for a huge haul given how much money they could have invested in their offense.

Joe Burrow has made no secret of his desire for the Bengals to keep both Tee Higgins, who received the franchise tag for the second consecutive year, and Ja'Marr Chase.

Higgins' situation is the more pressing of the two since he would seem very unhappy to be on the tag again. Chase still has another year remaining on his rookie deal after failing to get a long-term deal done last offseason due to the structure proposed by the team.

Hendrickson is also probably looking at Maxx Crosby's record-setting extension from the Las Vegas Raiders as a golden opportunity for himself to cash in. Even though he likely wouldn't receive the same type of deal by virtue of being three years older than Crosby, the market for premiere pass-rushers is always very high.

While there's always a chance Hendrickson could end up staying in Cincinnati, trading him could present the team with an opportunity to replenish its draft capital to add young, cost-controlled talent on a defense that needs a lot of help.

For Hendrickson, given his age, this will likely be his last chance to get one more significant long-term contract coming off the best season of his career. He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and tied for second with 19 tackles for loss.