A huge sigh of relief can be felt throughout the Cincinnati Bengals fan base after star edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson will be ending his hold-in after signing a raise with the team this afternoon. The $14 million extension was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, stating that the All-Pro and four straight Pro Bowler reached an agreement to have Hendrickson now make $30 million in the 2025 season. Although the hold-in is now officially over with this new deal, Hendrickson is still set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Another hold-in ends: Bengals and Trey Hendrickson reached agreement today on a $14 million raise for this year, boosting his 2025 salary to $30 million dollars, per sources. Hendrickson still is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. pic.twitter.com/Yhc1iT6ca8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2025
Bengals fans should be jumping for joy at this news now knowing that the 2024 sack leader will in fact be suiting up and playing for their franchise after a long summer of negotiations that led to Hendrickson not participating in any offseason team activities including training camp. Hendrickson made it very clear to the Bengals front office and owner Mike Brown that he will not do anything football related for the team until they reach a new deal. While some fans might have wondered why Hendrickson was so bullish on receiving a new deal, when you look at the season he had last year it makes complete sense. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 and over the past two seasons has shown he is one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league.
With Hendrickson making $30 million this year he joins quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in that category after the Bengals extended Chase in March. Chase’s extension, a four-year deal worth $161 million, became the highest average annual salary for a non-quarterback in NFL history at the time which then prompted the Bengals to extend fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins to a three-year deal worth $115 million.
NFL’s highest-paid edge rushers: pic.twitter.com/EExsRmeM6q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2025
With Hendrickson, Higgins, and Chase locked up for this season, the Bengals can now focus on their Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on the road. It will be interesting to see how the extended time off has affected Hendrickson’s ability and conditioning but even with this raise Hendrickson will be looking to have another All-Pro season heading into free agency in 2026.
