Trey Hendrickson Open to Salary Sacrifice: What This Means for His Future with the Bengals

Trey Hendrickson, a key pass-rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals, has been open about his willingness to negotiate down his salary in hopes of reaching a deal with the team. In a recent interview, he mentioned, “I was more than willing to take less to make this work.”

Despite his interest in staying with the Bengals, Hendrickson opted to head to Florida as training camp began, wanting to avoid distracting his teammates during a crucial time. This decision comes on the heels of prior statements where he made it clear he wouldn’t participate in the upcoming season under his current contract, which has him set to earn $15.8 million.

The negotiations have been rocky. Reports indicate Cincinnati only made one year of guaranteed money available in their offer, while other defensive stars like Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt have secured three-year guarantees in their contracts. NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that discussions between Hendrickson and team management have been tense, but Bengals owner Mike Brown expressed confidence that a deal could still happen.

Last season was tough for the Bengals, as they fell short of the playoffs. Much of that struggle stemmed from a defense that couldn’t keep up, leading the team to draft pass-rusher Shemar Stewart to partner with Hendrickson. Now, both players find themselves in a holding pattern, which could prove problematic as the season approaches.

Hendrickson had a remarkable performance last year, leading the league with 17.5 sacks—matching his tally from the previous season—and earning a spot in the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. This kind of performance usually positions a player for a lucrative new contract, especially following hefty extensions given to other top defensive players this offseason.

In summary, both Hendrickson and the Bengals face a crucial moment. With the season looming, fans are keeping a close eye on how this situation unfolds, as the team’s defense could greatly depend on having their star pass-rusher in the lineup.



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