Trey Hendrickson Update

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 12:07 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I'd have more sympathy for Trey's side of things if he didn't complain about his contract last year when the Bengals could literally do nothing to rectify his issues. If he's worried about respect, where is his apology to the Bengals for making a stink about his contract last year when they couldn't do anything about it?

Not that this absolves the front office for any disrespect on their part, but kinda makes Trey look a little hypocritcal, no?

Trey did come in after that unfortunate incident and said a lot of the right things. I don't remember an apology though.

[*Synric*]

(Yesterday, 12:03 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: This is not true. Milton Williams signed a 104 million contract, yet only 51 million is guaranteed at signing. That is less than 50% guaranteed money. This is closer to te norm in the NFL, the Bengals follow the norm, they are not doing less than other teams.If you take total guarntees, it i still only 63 million.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/72453/milton-williams

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $104,000,000
Average Salary:
$26,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$24,000,000
GTD at Sign:

$51,000,000
Total GTD:
$63,000,000
Free Agent:
2029 / UFA

DE Sweat signed with Cardinals in 2025.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/29061/montez-sweat

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $98,000,000
Average Salary:
$24,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$20,426,000
GTD at Sign:

$41,964,888
Total GTD:
$62,864,888
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA

Why were these players nit insulted by the low guaranntees, 2 top players who signed quickly in 2025 FA?

Milton Williams is the only Free Agent DT making more guaranteed money in 2025 than BJ Hill although 5 different defensive tackles signed bigger contracts.

This is an example of how the Bengals do contracts different. Just like they could have lowered the early years of Chase and Tee and fit more short term players on the roster.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 02:33 PM)Synric Wrote: Milton Williams is the only Free Agent DT making more guaranteed money in 2025 than BJ Hill although 5 different defensive tackles signed bigger contracts.

This is an example of how the Bengals do contracts different. Just like they could have lowered the early years of Chase and Tee and fit more short term players on the roster.

I suggest you look athe percent guaranteed versus the dollar amount. You will find the NFL more often than not using the same or similar methods the Bengals use.

As for Chase and Tee, yes they could have done it and kicked the can down the road. But they decided they had a plan that extra cap space in 2025 to push into future years would not be needed.

[*pally*]

The Ravens just extended 31-year-old RB Derrick Henry 2 years $30 million with $25 million GTD

A RB who is 31 is a lot older in football years than a DE at 30

[THE PISTONS]

Why didn't the Bengals extend Trey Hendrickson?
As with a lot of these, it's important to note that they still might do something. The Bengals have worked on finding common ground with last season's NFL sack leader (17.5) on a contract extension this offseason. But unlike wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who got big extensions in March, Hendrickson is still waiting on a deal.

Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn told reporters at the owners meetings in March that Hendrickson "should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at," which certainly indicates that the team and the player still don't see eye to eye on his value. Hendrickson called the comments "a little disappointing." He took his frustrations public again this week, telling ESPN's Adam Schefter there has been no communication from the team on this since before the draft.

Historically, the Bengals have refused to put future-year guarantees in veteran contracts. Ironically, this is the main reason Hendrickson became a Bengal in the first place. During free agency in 2021, Cincinnati tried bringing back edge rusher Carl Lawson, but he left for the Jets because they guaranteed second-year money. Cincinnati instead signed Hendrickson because he was OK with its contract structure.

The Bengals' long-held rule was to guarantee no money outside of the first year -- specifically, the signing bonus. They broke this rule for quarterback Joe Burrow a couple of years ago and broke it again this year for Chase and Higgins. I don't know for a fact that future-year guarantees are the holdup in Hendrickson's deal, but it's a fair assumption to make based on what I've heard from sources.

And if you're wondering why it would be a holdup for Hendrickson when it wasn't for Burrow, Chase and Higgins, the answer is age. Burrow, Chase and Higgins were all 26 years old at the time of their contract extensions. Hendrickson is 30. For a team that absolutely hates to guarantee money in future years, it's a lot easier to diverge from those principles if said years are the player's age-27 and -28 seasons, rather than his age-31 and -32 years.

There's still a decent chance Hendrickson ends up on the Bengals' 2025 roster. But it has been ugly getting there so far, and it appears there's a decent chance this could end in a training camp holdout. He said Tuesday that he won't play for the Bengals this season under his current contract, so something has to give.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45127336/2025-nfl-offseason-10-teams-questions-explaining-missed-moves

[*Nately120*]

(Yesterday, 09:54 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Well, we haven't made the playoffs with him getting 17.5 sacks each of the past 2 years.

I still don't know that we have a playoff defense. It may be slightly better personnel wise. We're putting A LOT of pressure on the coaches.

(Yesterday, 09:54 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Well, we haven't made the playoffs with him getting 17.5 sacks each of the past 2 years.

I still don't know that we have a playoff defense. It may be slightly better personnel wise. We're putting A LOT of pressure on the coaches.

If our HOF billion dollar offense can't win the SB without him, we have to admit he hold more than 0 cards here.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 03:16 PM)pally Wrote: The Ravens just extended 31-year-old RB Derrick Henry 2 years $30 million with $25 million GTD

A RB who is 31 is a lot older in football years than a DE at 30

He didn't fall off last year, we will see if this was a good move or not. That is a lot of money for a RB at his age, I don't care how much money 
he spends taking care of himself.

[kevin]

Bengals pay Hendrickson close to 20 mil, and Franchise Tag in 2026 would be close to 20 mil. It's not like when you tag somebody and his pay and cap hit doubles. So as so much media and fans keep talking why haven't Bengals made a deal with Hendrickson. #1, The Bengals just paid Big Money to both Chase and Higgins on the backs of Big Money to Burrow. That's a Ton of cap money right there. Bengals have been making Big Money Contracts. #2. Burrow, Chase, Higgins are younger than Hendrickson, a lot younger. # 3. Bengals have Hendrickson in 2025. #4. Bengals could have Hendrickson in 2026 for about the same money with franchise tag. About 2 to 3 million more, which is not bad for using franchise tag. As for 2027, Hendrickson will be getting on the old side. They could work a deal or let him leave in 2027.

So the media making this an issue, and I don't see it. Bengals kept Burrow, Chase, Higgins long term which is more than I can say about the other teams in AFC North. As for Hendrickson at DE, he is here 2025, and franchise tag would keep him in 2026 for not a lot more than he already makes. Right there he could be here 2 more seasons, and thus not a major issue.

GO BENGALS.....BACK TO PLAY-OFFS and SUPER BOWL

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Trey is already acting unhappy. Probably would be even more unhappy getting tagged even if it is a slight raise.

[*rfaulk34*]

Well, i for one am happy that you started this thread cause it certainly didn't fit in the Hendrickson Update thread... 

[*PhilHos*]

(Yesterday, 04:00 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Well, i for one am happy that you started this thread cause it certainly didn't fit in the Hendrickson Update thread... 

I call dibs on starting the next Trey Hendrickson contract dispute thread!

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

(Yesterday, 04:50 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I call dibs on starting the next Trey Hendrickson contract dispute thread!

Dammit. Missed it by a minute.

[Stewy]

Franchise tag only works if a contract has run out. Trey is under contract for 2025, thus can't be tagged until 2026. So this thread is about a year early.

[*rfaulk34*]

(Yesterday, 04:50 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I call dibs on starting the next Trey Hendrickson contract dispute thread!

As the Nickname Admin, i will approve that motion. 

[J24]

(Yesterday, 07:16 AM)Synric Wrote: Only BJ Hill's 11m signing bonus is fully guaranteed. That's why the Bengals have an out they can cut him in March 2026 for only a 7m dead cap.


They made the first year of his contract massive making it look like they are "spending" like other teams but they are not. 

Its an infuriating process that ultimately costs the team.

(Yesterday, 10:44 AM)PhilHos Wrote: I'll be honest, I don't think the disagreement is with the amount of money. I think Trey would take the amount offered but the other stipulations like the length of the deal and the guarantees are where he's disagreeing.

I just wish if he wants communication from the Bengals, maybe he reach out to them first before reaching out to the media? Like, I get it, there should be constant communication to get a deal done, but it's not like Trey doesn't have their number.

I don't get why the Bengals are so worried about more years. With the way NFL contracts Its essentially a team option after the first year of the contract. Just look at Mason Crosby deal there is zero guarantees outside of 2026.

(Yesterday, 11:48 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: You missed an important detail. Only 16 million is guaranteed or less than 50%.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44193063/sources-bengals-re-signing-bj-hill-3-year-33m-deal

Free agent defensive tackle B.J. Hill is signing a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $16 million guaranteed to return to the Cincinnati Bengals, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

Some fans would say it is disrespectful to offer such a low guaranteed portion.

That's 48% of the contract a whopping two percent less than 50%. That's a high percentage for a Bengals contract.

[basballguy]

(Yesterday, 03:16 PM)pally Wrote: The Ravens just extended 31-year-old RB Derrick Henry 2 years $30 million with $25 million GTD

A RB who is 31 is a lot older in football years than a DE at 30

This is an awful idea no matter how well Henry did last season.  Something like 10 RBs have rushed for 1000 yards at age 32+ in the history of the NFL.  

[THE PISTONS]

I dont know. If anyone can do it...it's Henry. He's a physical freak. Kind of modern day Bo Jackson.

[Bengalfan4life27c]

I mean our only out might be to trade him for a S or a CB and go with Shemar and Murphy

[Bengalion]

(Yesterday, 08:45 PM)Bengalfan4life27c Wrote: I mean our only out might be to trade him for a S or a CB and go with Shemar and Murphy

Don't joke about this. Murphy's been a disaster, and Shemar's unproven rookie.

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 12:03 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: This is not true. Milton Williams signed a 104 million contract, yet only 51 million is guaranteed at signing. That is less than 50% guaranteed money. This is closer to te norm in the NFL, the Bengals follow the norm, they are not doing less than other teams.If you take total guarntees, it i still only 63 million.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/72453/milton-williams

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $104,000,000
Average Salary:
$26,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$24,000,000
GTD at Sign:

$51,000,000
Total GTD:
$63,000,000
Free Agent:
2029 / UFA

DE Sweat signed with Cardinals in 2025.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/29061/montez-sweat

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $98,000,000
Average Salary:
$24,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$20,426,000
GTD at Sign:

$41,964,888
Total GTD:
$62,864,888
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA

Why were these players nit insulted by the low guaranntees, 2 top players who signed quickly in 2025 FA?

The guarantees are lower because neither of those guys are near being start to the caliber of Trey Hendrickson. Hell, Milton Williams spends over 50% of defensive snaps on the bench. His best year stats at DT look like the end of the road stats for a guy like Geno Atkins. There's a lot of risk in paying either of those guys high contract with max guarantees. Montaze Sweat has been up and down and battled injuries his career, but at least he averages around 55% of defensive snaps played. Whereas a guy like Trey Hendrickson is averaging about 69% of defensive snaps played since joining the Bengals. Trey is absolutely worth the money and will live up to the guaranteed portion that he's looking for. Those other guys that you presented, I'm not so sure about.