Trey Hendrickson may be in for a reality check. After leaving the Cincinnati Bengals, the star defensive end is seeking a multi-million dollar contract, but reports suggest the market is valuing him nearly $10 million less.
Hendrickson entered the NFL as the 103rd overall pick in the 2017 Draft with the New Orleans Saints. His early years were modest, spending three seasons as a backup before breaking out in 2020.
That year, he recorded sacks against Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, totaling 13.5 by the end of the season, yet he was released that same year.
In 2021, Hendrickson joined Cincinnati and quickly became a cornerstone of the defense. However, a lingering contract dispute and a hip injury ultimately ended his tenure with the Bengals.
What is Trey Hendrickson’s true value?
Last offseason, Hendrickson pushed for a new deal, and the Bengals agreed to a one-year, $30 million extension. This year, however, Cincinnati declined to renew, making him a free agent.
Now, Hendrickson is hoping for a similar payday, but according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, teams are offering significantly less:
As of this morning, there were teams I spoke with who said the gap between what [Hendrickson] wanted and what they were willing to pay was close to $10 million per year.
Hendrickson’s numbers back him up
Despite missing much of the 2025 season due to injury, Hendrickson’s production in seven games remained impressive:
- 16 tackles (11 solo)
- 4 sacks
- 1 interception
Before his injury, Hendrickson posted back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
While he may not secure the $30 million deal he desires, his track record suggests he will still command a lucrative contract.
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