DE Trey Hendrickson requests trade from Bengals; team says it won't move him
Another Bengal has requested to be traded.
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade out of Cincinnati, although the team told him it won’t move him, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per sources.
Hendrickson currently has two years left on his existing contract. His earnings are projected to be $14.8 million in 2024 and $15.8 million in 2025. However, there is no guaranteed money for either year and both years exceed $18 million against the Bengals’ cap.
Hence, Hendrickson is aiming to compel Cincy to offer more security, either via a new contract or by moving to a new team.
If the Bengals were to trade him before June 1, it would cause $7.8 million in dead money with $12.3 million in cap savings. A post-June 1 trade would mean a dead-money hit of $5.2 million but cap savings of $15 million, per Over the Cap.
Since signing in 2021, the 29-year-old has been a huge asset to the team, after his initial four NFL seasons with the Saints.
In every season with the Bengals, he has made a Pro Bowl. His career-high 17.5 sacks from last season brought his three-year total to 39.5, nearly doubling his previous 20 with New Orleans.
Hendrickson becomes the second high-profile name to request a trade from the team this offseason. Wide receiver Tee Higgins, currently slated to play on the franchise tag, asked for one in March.
He did soften his stance a month later, admitting he anticipates he’ll play out 2024 in the uniform of the team that drafted him, but his desire for added security remains similar to Hendrickson’s.
Hendrickson’s determination makes him a suitable candidate for almost any team and any plan. If the Bengals fail to address his worries, there will be potential suitors interested in him.
