NFL Rumors: Trey Hendrickson Trade 'Off the Table' Amid Bengals Contract Buzz

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly won't trade defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who had been given permission to seek a deal amid his desire for a new contract.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported the latest on Hendrickson and the Bengals, who are reportedly looking to land the four-time Pro Bowler on a new contract.

"My understanding of the Trey Hendrickson situation is that the organization and ownership are fully prepared to move forward and attempt to negotiate a deal," Schultz said.

"I don't believe they want to trade him at all, and I actually would say after talking to multiple people involved that they have now reached the conclusion that a trade is really off the table. So that's great news for Bengals fans."

Hendrickson, 30, amassed an NFL-high 17.5 sacks last season. It marked the second straight season in which Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks.

He also had 36 quarterback hits, 46 tackles, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles en route to first-team All-Pro honors. Hendrickson finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year race to Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Hendrickson is under contract through the 2025 season after signing a one-year extension in 2023. That came after he signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the team in free agency in 2021.

The Bengals have gone to work re-signing their top talents this year, namely wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesicki.

Bringing Hendrickson back into the mix for multiple years would be a huge win for the team as it looks to get back to making deep playoff runs, like in 2021 (AFC title) and 2022 (AFC runner-up).

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been reporting on Hendrickson of late. On March 16, he had this to say in part, noting Hendrickson and the Bengals are looking for a "sweet spot."

"This one's complicated because Hendrickson does want a new contract well above $30 million per year. The Bengals have tried to sign him, they made him a contract offer. And I'm even told despite trade talks, they've had some reignited discussions with Hendrickson's people over the last few days, but it still hasn't gotten anywhere..."

One week later, there didn't seem to be any momentum toward a new deal. However, the Bengals didn't seem keen on a trade either, per Fowler.

"He has no intention of playing under his current contract, which has one year and $16 million left. He needs a new deal, but the Bengals have just simply not shown an eagerness to trade Hendrickson," Fowler reported on SportsCenter.

"And there's interest, there is trade interest from other teams trying to make this work, but it would take a really hefty trade package. Teams aren't willing to do that and pay Hendrickson right now. So, as much as I want to go with the field, I still think they can work something out, Hendrickson and the Bengals, on a new deal. It's been stagnant of late, it's sort of stalled, but they have a couple of months at least to try to shake this out and get a new deal done."

Schultz added more on the matter Tuesday too, with a nod toward Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter, who just signed a one-year, $35.6 million extension through 2026.

"Now it really becomes can both sides reach a fair agreement? Can they come together and find a number that works for not only Trey, but obviously the organization? And that's essential to this entire process.

"Now, last week, the Texans extended Danielle Hunter, and that was a big move, for a lot of reasons, obviously the money, but same age, same position, both All-Pro-caliber players, at the arguably the second-most important position in the league. That extension now provides a potential blueprint."

Per NFL.com's Grant Gordon, "Hunter will earn $32 million in 2025—which includes a $12.5 million raise—and $55.1 million over the next two seasons, with $54.1 million fully guaranteed."

Hendrickson is one of the NFL's best edge-rushers in football, and his contract is simply well below those of the game's top players, such as the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett (four years, $160 million), the San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa (five years, $170 million) and the Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million).

Obviously, this is a situation to monitor moving forward, but as of now, signs are pointing to Hendrickson being a Bengal in 2025 at least.