Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson reported to training camp Wednesday still without a new contract after incurring more than $450,000 in fines during his holdout.
“Things are exactly the same,” Hendrickson told reporters when asked about contract negotiations.
Hendrickson, 30, is seeking a raise on the $16 million he is due to make in the final season of his current deal. As one of the better pass rushers in the league—Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 during the 2024 regular season—his salary is less than half of what the top of the market is for edge defenders.
Earlier this month, Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt signed a three-year, $123 million contract that carries a new money average annual value of $41 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, for now. Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons, who is not holding out of training camp, is also seeking a new deal that could surpass Watt’s.
Hendrickson has sought a new contract since the beginning of the offseason. However, the Bengals prioritized signing receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to new deals first. In March, the wideouts became the richest receiving duo in the NFL with four-year extensions worth $161 million and $115 million, respectively.
By reporting to training camp, even if he doesn’t practice, Hendrickson will no longer be fined $50,000 per day, as he was during the first seven days of camp. That $350,000 sum, on top of $104,768 in fines for missing minicamp, takes Hendrickson’s fine total this summer to $454,768. He’s made $68.24 million during his first eight seasons in the league, four with the Saints and four in Cincinnati.
Hendrickson’s decision to report without a new deal follows a similar decision from Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who showed up to Washington’s camp Sunday after losing out on more than $800,000 from holding out. McLaurin, 29, is seeking a raise on the $19.65 million he is set to make this season.
