Hendrickson: I won't play for Bengals under current contract

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson candidly spoke about his contract situation Tuesday, making it clear he has no plans to play for Cincinnati if the two sides can't reach an agreement on a new deal.

"We're just not seeing eye to eye on the structure," Hendrickson said, according to "The Growler" podcast. "It seems that a shorter deal is something that they are pushing pretty hard. That puts us in the same place I was in 2022, where I have to renegotiate the next year, because if goals are the same and (I'm) playing at a better level than I did last year, then next year we're just kicking the can down the road."

Hendrickson released a statement Monday calling out the Bengals' lack of communication and interest in signing a long-term extension. The 30-year-old is entering the last year of his deal, which will pay him $16 million.

Spotrac predicts Hendrickson's market value to be $31.5 million per year. The four-time Pro Bowler has racked up 35 sacks over the past two seasons, including an NFL-high 17.5 in 2024.

"If I sat here with four sacks, I think they'd want a little back, right? And that is fair to me. ... The other way, I don't think they see it as fair," Hendrickson said.

He added, "I'm not going to apologize for the rates of the defensive ends being paid in the National Football League."

Hendrickson revealed that he recently started taking his contract drama with the Bengals personally.

"I think over the last week or so, it's become personal, unfortunately," he said. "When there's a lack of communication in any relationship ... (it) leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction. So, the lack of direction, the lack of communication is leading to things that are allowing me to think about what's going to happen more than how great they have treated me over the last four years."

The Bengals gave Hendrickson permission to seek a trade in March while still trying to extend their top defensive player. The Indianapolis Colts were reportedly one of the known teams that showed interest in him then.

It's unclear if the Bengals have had trade talks with another team regarding Hendrickson since the 2025 NFL Draft. Cincinnati used its first pick on defensive end Shemar Stewart at No. 17 overall.

Despite the uncertainty about his future, Hendrickson hopes he can still reach an agreement to continue his career with the Bengals.

"Every relationship is repairable. I think Myles Garrett proved that," he said.

Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns earlier this year before receiving a record four-year, $160-million extension to remain with the team.

Hendrickson joined the Bengals on a four-year, $60-million deal in 2021. He added another year, along with $21 million, to his contract during the 2023 offseason.