REPORT: Bengals restart talks with star DE Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals Trey Hendrickson speaks at a press conference after practice, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Downtown Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson have reportedly resumed contract discussions.

The NFL sack leader has been at odds with the franchise over the lack of a contract extension, but ESPN reported Sunday that dialogue has picked up.

Hendrickson, 30, skipped last week’s mandatory three-day mini-camp and is reportedly subject to $105,000 in fines.

Hendrickson is slated to earn $15.8 million in base salary in 2025. That pales in comparison to the recent $40 million average deal Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett signed in the offseason. Hendrickson has indicated he won’t play without a bump in pay and expressed disappointment in the process in mid-May.

“When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, where it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction,” Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about whether he wants to remain with the Bengals.

Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons with that output being the best in the league in 2024. He has 57 total sacks in his four seasons with Cincinnati and has made the Pro Bowl on each occasion.

Overall, Hendrickson has 77 career sacks in 110 games (81 starts), divided equally between the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.

Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart also is in a dispute with the team over the language in his contract.