The last big contractual issue for the Cincinnati Bengals could be close to a resolution. All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson is expected to end his absence and report to training camp on Wednesday, according to sources close to the team. Hendrickson has been absent during the first week of the team’s training, as he seeks a contract extension before next season.
Officially, Hendrickson was placed on the “did not report” list on July 23, one day after the rest of the team’s veterans arrived. According to the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association, Hendrickson can be fined a maximum of $50,000 for each day of absence. If Hendrickson’s absence had included preseason games, he would also be subject to the loss of part of his base salary for the 2025 season.
But perhaps most importantly, Hendrickson’s decision to join the Bengals for training camp could help create movement in the stalemate. According to a source, Hendrickson’s imminent arrival serves as a gesture of good faith to boost negotiations with the team. Hendrickson, who will turn 31 this season, is the current NFL leader in quarterback sacks. He was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team after leading the league with 17.5 sacks. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season. The former Florida Atlantic standout is slated to earn $16 million in cash. Hendrickson is seeking a long-term extension with guaranteed money that goes beyond the first year. The team recently made an offer in hopes of getting Hendrickson on board this season. Both sides are almost in agreement on the duration of the agreement and its total value, but the stalemate in the negotiations is due to the money guaranteed in the contract, according to sources. If both sides can resolve the issue, the Bengals will finally have their full complement of players for the first time since the 2024 campaign ended. Hendrickson skipped all of the team’s preseason training due to the contractual situation. Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, the team’s first pick in the April draft, signed his rookie contract on Saturday, ending a months-long dispute with the team.
