Trey Hendrickson Locks in One-Year Deal with Bengals – A Crucial 2025 Season Ahead
If you’ve been following the Bengals’ offseason, you know things just got a lot clearer on the defensive side of the ball. On Monday, Cincinnati made it official: Trey Hendrickson is sticking around for the 2025 season after signing a revised one-year deal. The defensive end didn’t just put pen to paper—he also secured himself a hefty pay raise, some incentives, and, more importantly, the chance to chase another big season in stripes.
But this isn’t just about a contract. It’s about loyalty, respect, and Hendrickson’s unshakable drive to keep terrorizing quarterbacks.
What the Deal Looks Like
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$14 million raise for this season.
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$30 million total base salary lined up for 2025.
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$1 million incentive if Hendrickson plays at least 60% of defensive snaps and the Bengals punch their ticket to the playoffs.
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Free agency looms in March, but Cincinnati still has the option to slap the franchise tag on him if they want.
For now, though, Hendrickson isn’t obsessing about what comes after this year. He made that clear in his conversation with Geoff Hobson from the team’s official site:
“We’re taking one day at a time. Moving forward, we’ll figure that out as it goes. For this season, to be given a raise I didn’t necessarily have to be given—it’s a blessing. I’ve been brought up to my peers and I still get to do what I love: getting after quarterbacks.”
A Rocky Offseason, But a Happy Ending
Hendrickson’s path to this new deal wasn’t exactly smooth. He skipped voluntary offseason workouts and even staged a “hold-in” during training camp—showing up but not fully participating in practices—while pushing for more than the $15.8 million base salary he was originally due.
The standoff could have dragged into the season, but both sides eventually found middle ground. Hendrickson gets his raise, while the Bengals get clarity on their roster heading into what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes year.
He put it best himself:
“There’s a tremendous amount of respect for the back and forth we had, the countless attempts to make things work on multi-year extensions, and ultimately getting down to the raise. What made sense for my family and what was presented to us—this is what’s best for the 2025 Bengals and my personal life. It’s a tremendous honor to be respected for what I do.”
Why This Season Feels Different
Here’s the bigger picture: Cincinnati has been steadily locking up their core.
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Tee Higgins – inked a long-term extension.
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Ja’Marr Chase – secured for the long haul.
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Shemar Stewart – their first-round edge rusher is officially under contract.
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And now? Hendrickson – the final major piece falls into place.
The Bengals’ front office wanted stability heading into 2025, and now they’ve got it. Hendrickson himself admitted this gives him and his teammates the confidence to focus solely on football:
“It gives a lot of clarity to the 2025 defense. With a great offseason in the books, both personally and as a team, I feel like now we can collectively play for the Bengals. And what’s best for the team is having the best players at their positions.”
More Than Just a Contract — It’s About Cincinnati
One thing that jumps off the page whenever Hendrickson talks is how much he loves this city and team. After signing, he reflected on what the Bengals mean to him:
“I love this city. With what’s been happening the last couple of months, I’ve had time to reflect on how much I want to stay a Bengal for the 2025 season.”
That statement hits different. Players often view contract negotiations as strictly business, but Hendrickson’s comments show he feels a deeper connection. It’s about loyalty and pride, not just numbers on a page.
What’s Next for Hendrickson?
Here’s the catch—he’s got less than two weeks to get himself in game shape for the Bengals’ season opener. After missing out on full training camp participation, there’s a question of conditioning. But given his history, you’d be hard-pressed to doubt him.
And let’s be real, the Bengals need him at full strength. Hendrickson has been one of the most disruptive pass rushers in football over the past few years. Every time he lines up, offensive tackles know they’re in for a long day.
Why This Move Matters
Let’s break down why this deal is a game-changer:
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Locker Room Stability – Hendrickson is a leader, and keeping him happy removes a potential distraction.
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Defensive Clarity – Everyone now knows their role heading into the season, which eliminates uncertainty.
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Momentum Builder – After extensions for Higgins and Chase, this move signals to the locker room that the front office is all-in.
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Fan Confidence – Bengals fans can breathe easier knowing the team’s top pass rusher is secured.
The Bigger Picture: Free Agency in 2026
Yes, Hendrickson will hit free agency in March—unless the Bengals tag him. That looming possibility creates some uncertainty about his future in Cincinnati. But Hendrickson’s approach is refreshingly simple: focus on the now.
This season could very well be his last in stripes, but it could also be his most important one yet. A dominant year could put him in line for an even bigger payday next spring—whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
So here’s where we stand: Trey Hendrickson is locked in for 2025 with a raise, the Bengals have their defense set, and everyone can now shift focus to the grind of the season ahead. The road wasn’t straightforward—between skipped workouts, training camp drama, and tense negotiations—but the outcome is one that works for both sides.
Hendrickson gets respect and financial security. The Bengals get one more year of a proven game-wrecker.
And for Bengals fans? They get to watch one of the league’s top pass rushers line up in black and orange, at least for one more season.
When Hendrickson put pen to paper, it wasn’t just about signing a contract. It was about setting the tone for the Bengals’ 2025 season—a season that might just define the franchise’s next chapter.
✅ Key Takeaways
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Hendrickson signs a one-year deal with a $14M raise.
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Could be his last season in Cincinnati, but free agency is wide open.
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Bengals now have their core locked in for 2025.
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Hendrickson: “I love this city and I want to be a Bengal.”
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All eyes on him to get in shape for Week 1 kickoff.
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