CINCINNATI — Trey Hendrickson was all smiles after Tuesday’s offseason exercise.
After a tumultuous offseason that featured a commerce request, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star pass-rusher was agency in his want to play for the group this season.
“That is a no brainer,” Hendrickson mentioned. “I imply, I really like this group. I am in nice form. It is good to see the fellows.”
The three-time Professional Bowl choice rejoined the group this week for the group’s voluntary offseason exercise program. Hendrickson, who was second within the NFL in sacks created final season and tied for second in complete sacks (17.5), had requested for a commerce after the Bengals declined to provide him a long-term deal. Final summer time, he added an additional 12 months to his contract via the tip of the 2025 season.
The transfer netted him an additional $5 million in wage final 12 months however did not have an effect on his 2024 wage or alleviate considerations in regards to the future. Hendrickson mentioned that when he and his agent, Harold Lewis, met with the Bengals to inquire about both a long-term deal or a commerce, the reply from Cincinnati’s entrance workplace was “fairly agency.”
“You type of hope for one of the best,” Hendrickson mentioned. “[In], soccer, you get what you earn in some methods and in different methods, there is a enterprise facet of it.”
The 29-year-old has been one of many league’s greatest edge rushers for the reason that Bengals signed him in 2021 to a four-year deal price $60 million. He has 40.5 sacks since, the fifth-highest complete throughout that span, in line with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.
Bengals defensive deal with B.J. Hill mentioned there have been “no onerous emotions” when Hendrickson tried to kind out the contract state of affairs in the course of the early portion of voluntary exercises.
“You simply cannot take it personally,” Hill mentioned. “You bought to recollect there’s additionally the enterprise facet of it as properly.”
Hendrickson mentioned that like others contained in the constructing, coach Zac Taylor was supportive as he navigated the contract state of affairs. He additionally mentioned he understood why Cincinnati’s entrance workplace stood agency in maintaining the present phrases of his deal intact.
And on his facet of issues, he had no regrets about taking the one-year extension final season.
“My purpose was to play right here longer,” Hendrickson mentioned. “So, once they supplied me an opportunity to play for Cincinnati one other 12 months, I took it. I might take it once more.
“I am not asking for a fantastic enterprise choice. I do know that asking possession, there’s not quite a lot of methods to chop it. I simply know what I can do and the way I can do it. And I feel my tape has confirmed that during the last 4 years as a starter.”
