Bengals Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson Gets His Contract Raise

Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson finally has a new contract.

Trey Hendrickson Receives Revised Contract

We have agreed to a revised contract with Trey Hendrickson. pic.twitter.com/snh3M4nkc5

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 25, 2025

The contract dispute between Hendrickson and the Bengals has ended.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Hendrickson and the Bengals have agreed to a reworked contract that gives the edge rusher a $14 million raise, bringing his 2025 salary to $30 million.

Hendrickson’s new deal includes a $1 million incentive that he’ll receive if the Bengals make the playoffs and he plays 60% of the plays.

One of the NFL’s biggest contract disagreements is now over.

Since the beginning of the offseason, Hendrickson has been adamant that he would not play for the Bengals on his current deal. The 30-year-old was scheduled to make a base salary of $15.8 million in 2025.

Hendrickson wanted a new contract or a trade out of Cincinnati.

At first, Cincinnati had no interest in trading its star edge rusher. In response to the Bengals’ indecision, Hendrickson voiced his displeasure to the media and did not report to training camp.

Hendrickson eventually reported a few days later but did not practice. As he held in, the idea that Hendrickson might skip regular-season games became a real possibility.

In the end, Hendrickson and the Bengals get a deal. Although he did not get a long-term extension, Hendrickson received a much-deserved raise that makes him one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL.

Hendrickson will also be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season, making him free to explore the market and sign elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Bengals bring back the best player on their defense. Hendrickson is the NFL’s reigning sack leader with 17.5. Hendrickson has 35 combined sacks in two seasons and has become one of the game’s best edge rushers.

🚨 🚨 🚨

The #Bengals are closing in on an agreement with NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson on a new contract, per me and @TomPelissero, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defenders for 2025.

It’s a big raise this year in a deal done by Harold Lewis of @NSAFootball. pic.twitter.com/xvBpj9p3Y5

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2025

Highest-Paid Edge Rushers In NFL

Hendrickson now reaches the $30 million threshold.

Only five players have a higher annual salary than Hendrickson: Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt ($41 million), Cleveland’s Myles Garrett ($40 million), Houston’s Danielle Hunter ($35.6 million), Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million), and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa ($34 million).

Hendrickson will be 31 next offseason. The odds of him getting a long-term deal are slim due to his age.

If Hendrickson has another double-digit sack season, his average annual salary will likely eclipse $30 million for the second consecutive year.