Trey Hendrickson: ‘No Doubt’ I’ll Play for Bengals After Contract, Trade Request

Julia StumbaughMay 14, 2024

Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson says there is “no doubt” he will return for a fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals next season despite requesting a trade last month after being unable to land a contract extension.

“Oh, yeah. No doubt,” Hendrickson said when asked if he planned to join the team in 2024, per Joe Danneman of FOX19 Now in Cincinnati. “That’s a no-brainer. I love this team, I’m in great shape. It’s good to see the guys, we’ve got great draft picks in the building. So, yeah. No-brainer.”

Joe Danneman @FOX19JoeTwo minutes with Trey Hendrickson.

Will he play for the Bengals this season: “Oh, yeah. No doubt. That’s a no brainer. I love this team.”

On the trade request, returning to practice, staying in Cincinnati and separating business and football. pic.twitter.com/0PxQZKxqrw

Hendrickson recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks in 17 starts for the Bengals last season. His trade request followed a dispute over his contract, which currently runs through the 2025 season.

Hendrickson’s comments came after he rejoined the Bengals Monday for voluntary workouts following three weeks away from the team’s offseason program, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.

“As things unfold… you kind of take it one day at a time, and as each pillar fell it’s like, I love this team, I love the coaches, I love the staff, I love this organization, it’s all the things I want to do is be here long term,” Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson continued, per NBC 5 Cincinnati’s Charlie Clifford: “The best way I can put it is separating the business from the team… I’m comfortable with every decision I’ve made, like I don’t have any regrets or anything like that. I think, moving forward, it’s all about achieving goals this year, taking care of things, and with the answers I’ve been given, I’m comfortable where I’m at.”

Charlie Clifford @char_cliffTrey Hendrickson on the decision to move past the trade request & off-season support from the Bengals locker room led by Joe Burrow:

“I have no regrets…with the answers I have been given, I am comfortable where I am at.” pic.twitter.com/SeuKEENPDq

After initially signing a four-year deal with the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson inked a one-year extension in July 2023.

That extension came with an $8 million signing bonus, which increased his 2023 salary but left his 2024 salary of $14.8 million unchanged, per Over the Cap.

One year later, Hendrickson requested a trade while seeking another extension that would provide “long-term security,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He also considered retirement, Kelsey Conway reported for The Enquirer.

“The main I was asking is for security, and things like that,” Hendrickson said. “And that comes with, as I continue to sharpen my sword and get ready for the season, I feel bigger, faster, stronger than I’ve ever been, and excited to play with these guys again.”

In three seasons with the Bengals Hendrickson has totaled 40.5 sacks, ranking fifth among all NFL players during that stretch, per ESPN Stats & Information. A fourth straight Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 could help the edge rusher earn the longer-term extension he’s been looking for next offseason.