The Cincinnati Bengals can’t catch a break, especially when it comes to player extensions. For nearly two months, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins‘s contract situations had the team facing countless questions. Cincy quieted the speculation by offering both players four-year extensions. Now, it’s Trey Hendrickson‘s turn for a reward—or maybe not. It seems Trey and the Bengals can’t agree on a deal.

“We want to work through it with him and his agent. We’ll just see where it goes,” said head coach Zac Taylor during Monday’s NFL annual meetings. However, Bengals EVP Katie Blackburn‘s recent comments suggest a different story.

After raining dollars on Chase and Higgins’ contracts, Joe Burrow‘s Bengals are kind of dealing with a tight cap situation. And the problem begins now with Trey hoping to secure a contract worth more than $30 million per year. Truth be told, Cincy doesn’t have much cap space to sign other players after both the WRs’ extensions. When asked about Hendrickson’s contract, Katie said, “He should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at.” Translation: The DE should be happy with the team paying him 60-70 percent of his market value.

She indirectly put it that the delay in the contract extension now entirely depends on Trey’s willingness to accept whatever he is offered. “Some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he’s not, that’s what holds it up sometimes. It takes him to say yes to something.” Now, the Bengals EVP took quite a diplomatic route, adding, “We have all the respect in the world for him. He’s been a great player. We’re happy to have him. And so maybe we’ll find a way to get something to work. We’re just gonna see where it goes.” Blackburn’s words sing an entirely different tune than what the HC said just a day before at the annual meetings.

There, he told people to “be patient” while discussing the DE’s contract. So now, with Cincy and Hendrickson struggling to find common ground on an extension, speculation about his future in Cincinnati is only heating up. And ESPN has thrown another possibility into the mix. 

ESPN’s bold call on Trey Hendrickson’s future

Zac Taylor, when asked about Trey Hendrickson at the annual meetings, had nothing but praise for the four-time Pro Bowler. Giving his defensive star his flowers, the Bengals HC said, “I think he’s one of the premier pass rushers in this league. Teams have to throw a lot of attention to him as they start their game plan each week. A guy who works his tail off, day in and day out, 365 days a year, which I appreciate.” However, despite all the high praise, the team can’t seem to find a way to work out a deal.

The contract talks are playing the villain in Trey and Cincy’s love story. With negotiations hitting a wall, the Bengals have permitted Trey to seek a trade. Amidst this entire fiasco, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has floated a draft-day trade scenario. According to Barnwell’s proposed deal, the Bengals would send Hendrickson and the 49th pick in the second round to Dan Campbell’s Lions in exchange for the 28th pick and a fourth-rounder.

Detroit has Aidan Hutchinson leading their edge rush, but he’s coming off a serious leg injury. Bringing Hendrickson on board makes sense for them. His 17.5 sacks in the 2024 season tied him as the no.1 DE in the league. Trey has 35 sacks over the past two years and is playing the best football of his career. He turned 30 years old in December but is clearly one of the premiere pass rushers in the sport.

He could provide stability at the position if Hutchinson has to miss time. And once Hutchinson returns healthy, the Lions will have a dominant pass-rushing duo to bolster their defense.