NFL Insider 'Getting Really Good Vibes' About Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Contract Talks

NFL insiders believe the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson are in a good place in their ongoing contract negotiations, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

"I did a little digging on it, and I'm still getting really good vibes coming out of Cincinnati that they're going to try and get a deal done with Trey," Russini said at the 13:15 mark of Friday's Scoop City podcast.

Russini added that the Bengals "seem to be trying to move money and get creative with finding ways to get Trey the money that he's gonna get."

Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season, is seeking an extension and a raise on his expiring contract.

The Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade in March. He is currently set to make $15.8 million in base salary with a cap hit of $18.7 million next season before hitting free agency in 2026, per Spotrac.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in March that Hendrickson is seeking "well above" $30 million annually on his next deal.

Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said in April she believed that Hendrickson "should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at," a comment that Hendrickson criticized on a subsequent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

Head coach Zac Taylor said last week that the franchise's decision to draft defensive end Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 pick of the 2025 NFL draft had nothing to do with Hendrickson, and that he doesn't "think you can ever have enough defensive linemen, especially in this league and this division."

Russini's report, which indicates communication between Hendrickson and the Bengals has improved over the past month, could mean the Bengals are one step closer to fitting both Hendrickson and Stewart into the defense next season.