Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson has ended his holdout. However, the Bengals’ edge rusher remains in a heated contract dispute with the organization.
Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson Ends Holdout
"Things are exactly the same (with contract talks). What I'm not going to do is be a distraction."
Trey Hendrickson spoke at length with us just now. Here's 2+ minutes. #Bengals @FOX19
Also added both sides have a common goal for a new deal. Just about details. pic.twitter.com/FwuGyLkPkr
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) July 30, 2025
The holdout might be over, but the hold-in has now begun.
Hendrickson reported to the Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp on Wednesday, ending his weeklong holdout. However, Hendrickson will not practice until he gets a new deal.
Hendrickson planned to report to Bengals training camp last week. However, he elected to fly home to Florida after failing to sign a contract extension.
By reporting to camp, Hendrickson will avoid the $50,000 per day fines. The decision to report to camp will hopefully jumpstart negotiations between Hendrickson and the Bengals.
That being said, Hendrickson told reporters that “nothing has changed” in this contract dispute. Hendrickson wants a new deal and refuses to play under his current one. The edge rusher does plan to attend practice and help out his teammates as best as he can.
“Things are exactly the same,” Hendrickson told reporters on Wednesday via Jeremy Rauch. “What I’m not going to do, as best as I can, avoid being a distraction. I want to help the guys. The guys who have helped me along the way — Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, even Sam Hubbard — helped me a lot when I was here. To be that right now I think is most important, and this narrative will kind of iron itself out as we continue to progress.”
One of those players Hendrickson plans to mentor is edge rusher Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ first-round pick in April’s draft. Stewart became the final rookie to agree to his contract after he signed a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $18.97 million on Friday. Stewart’s deal includes a $10.4 million signing bonus.
Stewart was upset with the Bengals over language in the contract that stated the team could void future guarantees. The Bengals suggested it would be for “conduct detrimental” to the team that took place off the field. For example, if Stewart went to prison, the team wants the right to void future guarantees.
Stewart accepted these terms only after he received a more lucrative payment structure.
Projecting Trey Hendrickson’s Contract
Trey Hendrickson arrives at Bengals camp
Holdout over. Hold-in begins. pic.twitter.com/qIJboIonYN
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 30, 2025
Hendrickson, 30, is entering the final year of his contract that carries a base salary of around $16 million.
Hendrickson is coming off a 2024 campaign where he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. The Bengals star was named to the All-Pro team and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season.
Despite Hendrickson’s production, he is vastly underpaid. His contract puts him outside of the top 10 for highest-paid edge rushers.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt is currently the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL at $41 million per year. While Hendrickson’s deal is not expected to surpass $40 million per year, he should at least make $30 million per year.
