Trey Hendrickson Ends Holdout with $30M Deal as Bengals Resolve Contract Dispute

Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals have officially ended one of the NFL’s most-watched offseason standoffs. The star edge rusher has agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract for the 2025 season, resolving weeks of holdout tension and placing him among the highest-paid defenders in the league this year.

This resolution arrives just as the Bengals prepare to kick off their regular season campaign, and it brings stability to a defense that desperately needs it.

What is the Trey Hendrickson Bengals contract situation?

The agreement comes after months of contract talks that centered on Hendrickson’s desire for more guaranteed money. He had previously signed a four-year, $60 million deal in 2021 with only $16 million guaranteed—a figure well below market norms for top-tier edge rushers at the time. In 2023, he negotiated a one-year extension for 2025, but with no guaranteed base salary, leaving him vulnerable despite back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.

Hendrickson posted 17.5 sacks in 2024, the highest in the league, and continued to demonstrate elite performance. However, despite his production, negotiations with the Bengals stalled over the length of a new deal and the amount of guaranteed money. Reports suggested the team was unwilling to break precedent, having only granted significant guarantees to cornerstone players like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.

Ultimately, the compromise came in the form of a single-year deal with a substantial raise: a $14 million boost that lifts his total 2025 compensation to $30 million.

Why this deal matters for Cincinnati and Hendrickson

Hendrickson’s new contract carries implications far beyond the salary numbers. For Cincinnati, it preserves their defensive integrity heading into the season. Hendrickson has been one of the few consistent bright spots on a defense that struggled in 2024, ranking near the bottom of the league in success rate and overall efficiency.

While the team’s front office remained hesitant to offer long-term guarantees, the timing of this deal allows both sides to avoid disruption. Hendrickson can now play without financial uncertainty, and the Bengals keep their best pass rusher without committing to years of risk for a player entering his 30s.

Importantly, this deal sets up Hendrickson for a major payday in 2026 free agency. With his contract expiring next March, he’ll have another opportunity to test the open market—this time with an even more impressive résumé and added leverage.

Bengals’ defense can breathe—at least for now

Hendrickson’s presence transforms the Bengals’ pass rush. He accounted for 65 pressures and a league-best 13.5 first- and second-down sacks last season, often keeping the team in games single-handedly. Without him, the Bengals risked entering the season without a proven disruptor, especially after making limited offseason additions to their defense.

While his run defense remains an area of criticism, the Bengals have historically relied on his explosive playmaking on early downs. His return restores that edge and allows the coaching staff to re-align their game plans heading into Week 1.

Will Hendrickson return to the Bengals in 2026?

That remains uncertain. Although this new deal demonstrates a rare moment of flexibility from the Bengals front office, it’s only a short-term fix. Hendrickson is expected to enter free agency next March unless another extension is agreed upon during the season.

Given his age—he’ll be 31 in 2026—and performance, Hendrickson could seek a multiyear deal with guarantees well into the second or third year, a move that may again test the Bengals’ contract philosophy. Until then, the focus will be on maximizing his value in what could be a final campaign in Cincinnati.