NFL Rumors: Trey Hendrickson Could Sit Out 2025 Season amid Bengals Contract Talks

The Cincinnati Bengals could be without their star pass-rusher for a significant period of time if they don't give him a new contract.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter on Wednesday that "it's entirely possible" that Trey Hendrickson will sit out the entire 2025 season if he doesn't get a new contract.

"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," Fowler said. "I think that's his mindset right now."

Earlier this month, the Bengals permitted Hendrickson to seek a trade. Hendrickson, 30, is set to play the 2025 season on a one-year, $21 million contract with a base salary of $15.8 million.

Fowler reported earlier this week that Hendrickson is seeking a new contract "well above $30 million per year," noting that Cincinnati has already made him an offer. Fowler added that the Bengals "have not been overly eager to accept" trade calls.

Hendrickson has likely earned a $30 million salary at this point, but the Bengals might not be able to give him what he wants after an expensive offseason so far. Earlier this week, Cincinnati signed star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to pricey extensions. Chase got a four-year, $161 million deal while Higgins got four years and $115 million.

Quarterback Joe Burrow also gets $55 million a year, so dishing out $30 million to Hendrickson may not fit in the budget.

Even after the deals for Chase and Higgins, the "arrow is pointed toward Hendrickson returning to Cincinnati," according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Whether Hendrickson is willing to play for the Bengals remains to be seen.

Hendrickson, in his fourth season with the Bengals, led the NFL with 17.5 sacks while adding 46 tackles. He was a bright spot for an otherwise bad defense, and Cincinnati would take a big hit without its star on the defensive line.