Why Trey Hendrickson requested a trade from Bengals, mulling options including retirement

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade from his team, his agent Harold Lewis of National Sports Agency told The Enquirer on Wednesday night.

Hendrickson’s trade request stems from his desire for more security on his current contract. He is scheduled to make $14.8 million in the upcoming season with his contract expiring after the 2025 season.

The Bengals and Hendrickson reached a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season in which the Bengals extended him one more season and gave him a $5 million bump in pay.

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson celebrates a sack of Indianapolis quarterback Gardner Minshew in the fourth quarter of last season's Week 14 game. Hendrickson has 39.5 sacks in his three seasons as a Bengal.
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson celebrates a sack of Indianapolis quarterback Gardner Minshew in the fourth quarter of last season's Week 14 game. Hendrickson has 39.5 sacks in his three seasons as a Bengal.

Hendrickson’s representation met with the Bengals this March seeking a long-term extension with the club as he wants more security and believes his performance on the field is worthy of such a deal. Following the meeting, the Bengals didn’t engage in any sort of conversations about an extension.

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That brings us to Hendrickson’s formal trade request the night before the NFL draft begins.

Hendrickson is mulling all options moving forward. His wish is to reach a long-term extension with the Bengals as he would “love nothing more than to stay in Cincinnati,” according to Lewis.

If the Bengals aren’t willing to give him an extension, he hopes the team will trade him to another team. If neither of those options come to fruition, Hendrickson would then face a decision: Play the upcoming season on his current deal despite his displeasure or retire. Hendrickson is not ruling out retirement at this point in his career.

In three seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson has recorded 39.5 sacks. He’s made the Pro Bowl in each season he’s played for Cincinnati.

Hendrickson's trade request is the second to come this offseason for the Bengals as wide receiver Tee Higgins also requested a trade.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trey Hendrickson requests trade from Bengals, mulling retirement

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