Insiders explain why Bengals' Trey Hendrickson made major decision amid contract standoff

Hendrickson has been unhappy with his contract situation for some time, as he requested a trade in April 2024, before ultimately playing for the Bengals last season. However, the market for players at the position has been reset on multiple occasions since Super Bowl LIX wrapped up. 

Specifically, Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby received a three-year, $106.5M contract extension back in March. That same month, the Cleveland Browns handed Myles Garrett a four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M guaranteed. More recently, T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history via a three-year, $123M extension that included $108M guaranteed.

Hendrickson is in the final year of his existing contract.

Per StatMuse, Hendrickson has tallied a league-best 35 regular-season sacks since Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. Nevertheless, there was no indication as of Tuesday morning that the Bengals were close to making the 30-year-old happy enough to return to Cincinnati for training camp.

Additionally, the Bengals haven't signed 2025 first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart due to disagreements related to the language attached to his rookie contract, which could allow the team to void future guarantees. Meanwhile, DraftKings Sportbook had the 2025 Bengals at -150 odds to make the playoffs at the time it was learned that Hendrickson would not be reporting to summer practices. 

There's still time for the Bengals to work out the details with both Hendrickson and Stewart before Cincinnati opens the preseason with a matchup against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 7. 

Of the two, one would think the Bengals would want Stewart to get in as much work as possible before the rookie makes his unofficial debut for the club next month.