Cincinnati Bengals end Hendrickson holdout with revised $30M contract
The Cincinnati Bengals have made a significant move by reaching a new deal with defensive end Trey Hendrickson for the 2025 NFL season. Reports indicate that Hendrickson agreed to a $14 million raise, bringing his salary for the upcoming season to $30 million. Although this agreement is not a long-term extension, it provides some stability for Hendrickson as he heads into the new year. It’s worth noting that he is still slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.
Hendrickson had been adamant about not playing on his $16 million salary for this season and had been seeking a long-term contract with the Bengals throughout the offseason. When a deal wasn’t reached, he initially held out at the start of training camp, insisting on being paid before participating in team drills. There were even rumors that the Bengals were exploring trade options for the standout pass rusher.
Eventually, Hendrickson reported to camp but only took part in team meetings as a hold-in player. The new agreement between the two sides ensures that Hendrickson will enter unrestricted free agency if a long-term deal isn’t reached before the start of the new league year in March 2026.
This development allows Hendrickson to fully prepare with his teammates for the upcoming season, as he sat out all three of the team’s preseason games. The veteran defensive end, entering his ninth season in the NFL, has been a force on the field, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and making his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
The Bengals have now addressed their financial obligations with key players like Hendrickson and wide receiver Tee Higgins earlier in the offseason. With all the pieces in place, the team is poised to improve on their 9-8 record from last season and make a strong push in the upcoming campaign.
For more sports coverage, follow Fox News Digital’s sports updates and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
