Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow and multiple members of the front office have shown keen interest or become directly involved in contract negotiations between the Cincinnati Bengals and contract holdout Trey Hendrickson.
Mike Brown wields a different level of influence as the owner of the Cincinnati franchise. He’s wading into the matter as the Bengals and the NFL’s sack leader continue their staredown into the preseason.
“I think we are in a good spot. I hope this thing comes together soon. I’m just going to leave it at that,” Brown said in an interview with Bengals.com.
The optimism is welcomed by the team on the field.
Taylor, as head coach, and his face-of-the-franchise quarterback, Burrow, tried but failed to help break the ice during a frigid standoff that became clearer to the public when Hendrickson detailed the weight of the business discussion on personal relationships.
Brown told NFL Network his stance on the contract matter is “the sooner the better.”
At issue is Hendrickson’s $15.8 million salary in 2025, the last season on a four-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2021. The highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL are all making at least $34 million per season with Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons in queue for what is expected to be a massive payday.
Hendrickson has indicated he won’t play without a bump in pay and expressed disappointment in the process in mid-May.
“When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, where it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction,” Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about whether he wants to remain with the Bengals.
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt nudged the market to a new level last week with a three-year deal averaging $41 million per season. The $123 million pact pushed Watt ahead of Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ($40 million), who jumped the line with a fully guaranteed contract he signed with Cleveland in March. Danielle Hunter (Texans, $35.6 million AAV) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders, $35.5 million) are one rung above 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa ($28 million)
Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons. He has 57 total sacks and four Pro Bowl selections in his four seasons with Cincinnati.
Hendrickson has 77 career sacks in 110 games (81 starts), divided equally between the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.
–Field Level Media
