In May, Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson said he would not play in 2025 without a new contract. Two months later, he’s proving that wasn’t a bluff.
Hendrickson will not report to Bengals training camp Tuesday. He won’t even be in the area. With players expected to report, Hendrickson is back home in Florida, according to his post on Instagram.
Hendrickson, 30, has spent the entire offseason lobbying for a new deal, but both sides haven’t been able to find a common ground just yet. Bengals owner Mike Brown took an optimistic view of the situation Monday, saying he believes a deal will “get done.” Browns director of player personnel Duke Tobin threw some cold water on that notion, however, saying he’s not sure if the two sides will be able to reach a deal before the start of the regular season.
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While Hendrickson and the Bengals have discussed a new contract, the two sides haven’t agreed on its structure. The Bengals reportedly want to give Hendrickson one year of guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s seeking multiple years of guaranteed money, which is what other star pass rushers — like Maxx Crosby and TJ Watt — received this offseason.
Hendrickson risks being fined by the team for each day he fails to report to training camp. On Monday, Tobin made it clear they expected Hendrickson to report. Tobin told reporters every player under contract “should be here for camp.”
Hendrickson is under contract for the 2025 NFL season, but it’s the final year of his current deal. He’s seeking a new contract after leading the league with 17.5 sacks last season. It was the second-straight year in which Hendrickson put up 17.5 sacks.
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After starting his career with the New Orleans Saints, Hendrickson has blossomed into a superstar with the Bengals. Since signing with the team ahead of the 2021 season, Hendrickson has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons. His 2025 performance earned him his first-ever selection to the All-Pro team.
Hendrickson isn’t the only member of the Bengals who won’t report to the team due to contract-related issues. First-round pick Shemar Stewart is embroiled in a contract dispute with the team as training camp opens. Stewart remains the only first rounder from the 2025 NFL Draft without a deal, and Brown didn’t seem too happy about that development Monday.
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