The Cincinnati Bengals’ All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson has asked to be traded. According to player’s agent Harold Lewis, Hendrickson is looking for a long-term deal, something the Bengals are unwilling to give him at the moment.
Hendrickson initially signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Bengals in 2021. After outperforming his contract to a large margin in his first two years with the franchise, he received a one-year, $21 million extension that tied him to Cincinnati through the 2025 season.
Hendrickson went on to compile a career year in 2023, racking up 17.5 sacks, 43 tackles, and three forced fumbles en route to a First-Team All-Pro nod. This established him as one of the NFL’s premium defensive ends, and now he wants to be paid like one.
“Our No. 1 goal is to get a long-term commitment from them,” Lewis told ESPN after the news of Hendrickson’s trade request was made public. “If we can’t, then we’re asking for a trade. And hopefully if he gets traded, that’s what we do — get a long-term commitment with somewhere else.”
Hendrickson already met with the Bengals’ brass to discuss his trade request and was told that he won’t be traded. However, the franchise is willing to discuss a new deal after the 2024 NFL season.
Reportedly, the Bengals have no interest in trading Hendrickson as they want to compete for the Super Bowl this upcoming season and beyond. They hold the same stance when it comes to wideout Tee Higgins, who demanded a trade back in March.
