The dispute will proceed for some time, however the Cincinnati Bengals will ultimately comply with a contract extension with star go rusher Trey Hendrickson.
The reigning NFL sack chief skipped the workforce’s obligatory minicamp final week, reportedly racking up practically $105,000 in fines. However stories surfaced Sunday that the 2 sides have reopened talks.
Hendrickson is searching for a long-term extension that will give him a major elevate from his 2025 base wage of $15.8 million.
The Bengals gave Hendrickson permission in March to hunt a commerce accomplice, and the veteran later expressed frustration over what he referred to as the workforce’s lackluster communication in mid-Might.
But right here we’re in mid-June, and Hendrickson continues to be on Cincinnati’s roster.
The Bengals don’t actually need to commerce him — they simply don’t need to pay him top-of-the-market cash. One report stated Cincinnati’s provide averages about $28 million per season.
That determine feels a little bit low. Given latest offseason developments, it’s important to determine the eventual deal will greater than double what Hendrickson is ready to make this season.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns signed a brand new extension in March value a median of $40 million per season (4 years, $160 million), elevating the ceiling for defensive finish salaries.
Simply days earlier, Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders turned the highest-paid defensive participant of all time when he signed a three-year, $106.5 million deal averaging $35.3 million per season.
So take into consideration this from Hendrickson’s viewpoint.
He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks final season and completed as runner-up for NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months — behind Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II and forward of Garrett. That is an important contract of Hendrickson’s profession, the one which units him up for all times.
He’s additionally made 4 straight Professional Bowls, recorded 35 sacks over the previous two seasons, and posted 13.5 or extra sacks in 4 of the previous 5 seasons. And he simply turned 30.
Yeah, Hendrickson is aware of it’s his time to money in.
General, there are 4 defensive ends averaging greater than $30 million per season. The others are the Houston Texans’ Danielle Hunter (one yr, $35.6 million) and the San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa (5 years, $170 million).
The fifth-highest common belongs to the New England Patriots’ Milton Williams, whose four-year, $104 million extension comes out to $26 million yearly. So it appears each side agree that Hendrickson’s new deal must be richer than that.
However you’ll be able to guess all of your $100 payments that Cincinnati doesn’t need to strategy the Crosby or Bosa ranges for Hendrickson.
So prepare for Hendrickson to skip coaching camp whereas holding out for a large payday.
The negotiations might stretch into September and proper as much as Cincinnati’s season opener on Sept. 7 in opposition to Garrett and the Browns.
In any case, Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t signal his extension till three days earlier than the workforce’s 2023 opener. That five-year, $275 million deal was the richest in NFL historical past on the time.
Huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase sat out coaching camp final season earlier than touchdown his four-year, $161 million extension — the most important ever for an NFL receiver — in March. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins performed beneath the franchise tag the previous two seasons earlier than additionally agreeing to a brand new four-year, $115 million deal on the identical time Chase signed.
Hendrickson has seen the method firsthand. He is aware of how the Bengals do enterprise.
Cincinnati isn’t recognized for giving cash away. It takes a agency stance from the participant and his representatives to get the franchise to budge.
So watch — Hendrickson will ultimately signal a wealthy deal. Most likely in September.
