The Cincinnati Bengals have spent a portion of the offseason simply running it back. As receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins join edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in awaiting lucrative extensions, the Bengals have been focused on retaining talent.
Cincinnati has already welcomed back edge rusher Joseph Ossai, defensive tackle B.J. Hill, tight end Mike Gesicki, and offensive lineman Cody Ford, among others.
These moves have been widely accepted, understanding that the biggest signings or (potentially) yet to come. But everyone seems to agree that without those big-ticket extensions, the team isn’t earning itself any credibility.
One Bengals signing, Ossai, has joined the fanbase in “praying” for Hendrickson’s extension.
“I’m praying they keep that special guy, because he’s a great guy, he’s a great mentor, he’s a great friend, he’s a phenomenal player, and I know he’s wanting to do what’s best for him and his family, and the Bengals are trying to help them and also do what’s best for them,” Ossai said, via Sports Illustrated. “But, hopefully, it works out. You know, God moves in mysterious ways, and hopefully it works out.”
Hendrickson’s request for a new deal is backed by incredibly consistent production. He’s recorded 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, leading the league in 2024. He came to the Bengals on “fraud watch,” boasting unsustainable conversion rates and the money to put a target on his back. He responded with 57 sacks and four Pro Bowls in as many seasons.
Hendrickson is a star, and his market is only limited by the concerns that come with paying an edge rusher at the top of the market as he trudges further into his 30s.
The front office might have those concerns, but one cannot overstate what he means to the defense and the contributors that make it whole.
“He’s a great person,” Ossai continued. “He’s everything I want to be, in his football life and his out-of-football life. I think the reason we gel so much is I look up to him. He enjoys that role of being a mentor. He says he doesn’t. He’ll say he hates it when people come up and talk to him. But he enjoys leading. He enjoys showing people the way.”
Ossai set a career-high in sacks (five) in 2024. But not having Hendrickson only increases Cincinnati’s reliance on Ossai and a cast of unproven pass rushers, an untenable situation for one of the league’s worst units from a season ago.
Ossai’s message is clear. The Bengals need Hendrickson, and the longer Cincinnati plays this game, the less likely this defense reaches its potential.
