The Cincinnati Bengals have been in the midst of a remarkable team-building process over the past few years, transforming from perennial underachievers to legitimate Super Bowl contenders. A significant part of this success has been the performance of players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins on offense, as well as key contributors like Trey Hendrickson on defense. Hendrickson, acquired by the Bengals in 2021, has become a cornerstone for the defense with his ability to disrupt quarterbacks and pressure the pocket. However, with Hendrickson entering the final year of his current contract, Cincinnati finds itself in a difficult situation financially, lacking the funds to comfortably re-sign him.
Hendrickson’s impact on the Bengals’ defense cannot be overstated. His ability to get to the quarterback has been a major reason why the Bengals have become a more formidable unit on that side of the ball. However, the team’s salary cap constraints, combined with the need to extend key players like Burrow and Chase, make it difficult to find room to re-sign Hendrickson. This situation presents a number of questions for the Bengals’ front office: How will they approach this dilemma? Can they find a way to keep Hendrickson, or will they have to let him go in favor of other roster moves? And, more importantly, what does Hendrickson’s potential departure mean for the future of the team?
In this article, we will explore the financial constraints the Bengals are facing, the importance of Hendrickson to their defense, the challenges in re-signing him, and what the future might hold for both the player and the team.
The Importance of Trey Hendrickson to the Bengals’ Defense
Trey Hendrickson was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 to bolster their pass rush, and he has done exactly that. Prior to joining the Bengals, Hendrickson had a breakout season with the New Orleans Saints, registering 13.5 sacks in 2020, and quickly became one of the more sought-after free-agent pass rushers. The Bengals were looking to solidify their defensive line after years of mediocrity in that area, and Hendrickson immediately made an impact upon his arrival.
In 2021, Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks, proving that his success in New Orleans was no fluke. His ability to generate pressure on the quarterback was a key factor in the Bengals’ defense becoming one of the more formidable units in the AFC. Hendrickson’s presence helped the Bengals’ defense become more aggressive, with his ability to create disruption not only on passing downs but also in setting the edge against the run.
In addition to his on-field performance, Hendrickson’s leadership and experience have been invaluable to the Bengals. As the team’s most accomplished pass rusher, he has been a mentor to younger players on the defensive line, helping them develop their skills and improve their ability to generate pressure. Hendrickson’s ability to affect the quarterback is something the Bengals cannot afford to lose, as they look to remain competitive in a division that includes high-powered offenses like those of the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Financial Constraints
The issue facing the Bengals in their pursuit of re-signing Hendrickson boils down to a familiar dilemma for many NFL teams: salary cap constraints. Like many teams in the NFL, Cincinnati has limited financial flexibility, and they must be strategic about how they allocate their resources. While the Bengals have built a strong roster with a mix of young talent and established veterans, the salary cap is a real limitation that forces difficult decisions.
As of the 2025 offseason, the Bengals find themselves in a position where they must prioritize key players who will be central to their future success. Quarterback Joe Burrow, one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the league, is entering a contract year, and the Bengals are expected to offer him a lucrative extension that will make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, another foundational piece for the team, will soon be up for an extension as well. These two players represent the future of the offense, and it’s likely that the Bengals’ front office will need to allocate significant cap space to keep both of them long-term.
With Burrow and Chase’s extensions looming, the Bengals have little flexibility to make major moves elsewhere on the roster. The team has already made significant investments in key areas, and the financial situation becomes even more complicated when considering the other players who need to be re-signed or replaced in the coming years. As a result, Hendrickson’s situation becomes even more tenuous. The Bengals may be forced to choose between keeping a player like Hendrickson or addressing other long-term needs.
The Impact of Hendrickson’s Potential Departure
Losing Hendrickson would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the Bengals’ defense. Over the past two seasons, he has been one of the team’s most consistent and impactful players, and his departure would leave a void in the pass rush. While the Bengals have some young talent on the defensive line, such as Sam Hubbard and Joseph Ossai, Hendrickson’s ability to command attention from opposing offensive lines and consistently generate pressure on the quarterback is something that would be difficult to replace.
Hendrickson’s leadership would also be sorely missed. He has been a guiding presence in the locker room, setting the standard for what it means to be a professional and leading by example. Losing his experience and mentorship could affect the development of younger players like Cam Sample and Zach Carter, who will be expected to take on larger roles in the defensive front if Hendrickson is not re-signed.
Additionally, Hendrickson’s absence could potentially affect the Bengals’ overall defensive identity. Under head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Bengals have developed an aggressive defensive scheme that emphasizes creating pressure on the quarterback. Hendrickson has been an integral part of that strategy, and without him, the Bengals may need to adjust their defensive game plan to account for the loss of one of their most dynamic players.
The Challenge of Re-Signing Hendrickson
Given the Bengals’ current financial constraints, re-signing Hendrickson will be an extremely difficult task. The Bengals are expected to prioritize keeping Burrow and Chase, and with limited cap space available, Hendrickson may find himself priced out of their plans. While the team could potentially free up some space by making cuts or restructuring contracts, it’s unlikely they’ll have enough to make Hendrickson a competitive offer, especially with other key extensions looming.
The Bengals could attempt to negotiate with Hendrickson to lower his expectations, offering him a deal that would allow the team to retain him while still making room for other key contracts. However, it’s equally likely that Hendrickson, who is coming off a strong two-year run with the Bengals, could seek a more lucrative contract elsewhere. Teams with more cap space, such as the New York Jets or Chicago Bears, may be more willing to pay Hendrickson what he is worth, especially if they see him as a key piece to their defensive puzzle.
If the Bengals cannot find a way to keep Hendrickson, they will need to look for other ways to bolster their pass rush. The draft may offer an opportunity to add another edge rusher, and the team could look to sign a cheaper veteran or explore trade options. However, replacing a player of Hendrickson’s caliber is no easy task, and it would likely take multiple pieces to fill the void he would leave.
What Lies Ahead for the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads in their team-building efforts. While they have an impressive core of talent, the financial reality of the salary cap is making it increasingly difficult to retain all of their key players. Re-signing Trey Hendrickson would be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. The team’s front office may need to be creative with contracts and cap management in order to find a way to keep him on the roster.
One potential avenue for the Bengals is to focus on building depth in other areas of their defense and offense, allowing them to make room for Hendrickson’s extension. The team could also explore trade opportunities to free up cap space, though that would come with its own risks. The Bengals will need to carefully balance their short-term goals with their long-term vision, ensuring they don’t jeopardize their future in pursuit of keeping Hendrickson.
The team’s front office will also need to evaluate how much they’re willing to invest in Hendrickson, given the looming extensions for Burrow and Chase. Hendrickson has been a key part of the Bengals’ defensive success, but whether or not he stays may depend on how much the team is willing to spend on the defense as a whole. The Bengals may decide that allocating more resources to their offense is the best way forward, which would make it harder to justify giving Hendrickson a new contract.