NFL Insider Discusses Trey Hendrickson’s Bengals Contract, ‘Pay Him or Trade Him’

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler provided some insight Thursday into star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson’s contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals.

During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Fowler talked about the impasse and shared what he heard from a source about what could or should come next:

“They have been in communication, at least. They have remained talking over the last few weeks about a deal. I’m told the Bengals are willing to offer him some pretty high-end pass-rush money, but that’s sort of empty calories, that the guarantees aren’t what Trey Henderson wants. That’s the issue, that’s the sticking point.

“I talked to a source who said, ‘Look, you either have to pay him or trade him at this point.’ It’s getting to that sort of tension right now. He’s in the building. He wants to be on the field with his teammates. He’s got to get something done.”

Hendrickson, 30, has been in search of a new contract since last offseason, but he and the Bengals are still struggling to find common ground.

Despite his desire for a new deal, Hendrickson ultimately decided to report to the team and play last season, and he ended up having a career year with a league-leading and career-high-tying 17.5 sacks.

As a result, Hendrickson was named a Pro Bowler for the fourth straight year and a First Team All-Pro for the first time. He also finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

That performance seemingly strengthened Hendrickson’s resolve to land a contract extension, however, the Bengals have yet to budge as he prepares to enter the final year of his deal.

Hendrickson initially didn’t report to training camp, but he eventually did last week, telling reporters: “There are plans on not having to play on the current deal. That’s something we have a common goal to get to. That’s the plan moving forward. No distractions. I am excited to be here.”

An agreement has yet to be reached, though, and Hendrickson has not been practicing with the team, making him a hold-in.

The Bengals can ill afford to be without Hendrickson during the upcoming season since he is far and away their best defensive player.

Even with Hendrickson in the fold, the Bengals were 25th in total defense and scoring defense last season, which is primarily why they went only 9-8 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

If the Bengals either trade Hendrickson or allow him to hold out by not coming to terms on a new contract, they risk putting themselves in a position where they have to win shootouts on a weekly basis in order to get back in the playoff mix.