Bengals Insider: Trey Hendrickson Unlikely to Be Traded After Chase, Higgins Contracts

The Cincinnati Bengals could still retain star defensive end Trey Hendrickson after agreeing to long-term contract extensions with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the "arrow is pointed toward Hendrickson returning to Cincinnati" after the Bengals didn't address their pass rush in free agency.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini also reported that Cincinnati is "working to retain" Hendrickson and extension negotiations are "ongoing."

The 30-year-old has one season left on his current contract before he's slated to hit free agency in 2026, but Cincinnati previously granted him permission to seek a trade after both sides couldn't agree on a long-term extension.

Dehner reported that the trade request allowed the two parties to become "100 percent aware of his market and trade value" before returning to the negotiating table. Any possible swap without a pass-rusher returning to Cincinnati is also a "non-starter," which narrows the list of potential suitors for Hendrickson.

The Bengals extended both Chase and Higgins on Sunday night, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. Chase received a four-year, $161 million contract while Higgins signed a four-year deal worth $115 million.

Now, Cincinnati appears to be turning its attention towards Hendrickson.

The four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher is coming off a dominant 2024 campaign in which he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He also finished with 54 pressures, 36 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Dehner Jr. reported that Hendrickson has made it "abundantly clear" that he wants to stay in Cincinnati despite the ongoing trade saga, but there’s also "no doubt his camp would be extremely unhappy" about playing out the final year of his deal without an extension or trade.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Hendrickson is seeking a new extension that contains a value of "well above" $30 million per year.

After the Bengals agreed to extensions with their two standout receivers, Hendrickson may be next in line.