Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals are negotiating towards a contract extension after the 2 sides beforehand agreed to search for a commerce companion for the 2024 NFL sacks chief.
In accordance with The Athletic, the Bengals are trying to maintain Hendrickson long-term whereas working via salary-cap hurdles.
The information comes at some point after a number of experiences the crew agreed to signal vast receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to large contract extensions.
Chase, who was getting into the ultimate 12 months of his most up-to-date deal, is reportedly lined up for a four-year, $161 million contract that features $112 million assured.
The annual common wage of $40.25 million units the league document for many profitable for a non-quarterback.
Higgins reportedly agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract with the primary two years assured. The Bengals had used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive 12 months to dam him from reaching unrestricted free company for the 2025 season. The one-year wage for franchise-tagged vast receivers is $26.2 million.
The Bengals and Higgins had a deadline of July 15 to come back to phrases on a long-term contract settlement. Higgins mentioned he needed to stick with Cincinnati. His commerce worth set underneath the phrases of the CBA on franchise tags could be two first-round draft picks, if the crew may have discovered a suitor for his or her No. 2 receiver.
The franchise was attempting to determine the right way to compensate two gamers on the similar place in addition to the complete crew underneath the wage cap. The Bengals negotiated final preseason with Chase, who held out a part of coaching camp earlier than deciding to play with no new deal.
Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL with 17.5 sacks final season. He has one 12 months remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2023 with a base salaary of $15.8 million for 2025.
The marketplace for defensive gamers has climbed shortly.
Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby signed a document three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with Las Vegas within the newest sign of the place the market might be headed for premium cross rushers. Crosby, 27, has 22 whole sacks the previous two seasons.
Then Cleveland Browns star defensive finish Myles Garrett topped that with a reported four-year, $160 million extension that features $123.5 million assured.
On the NFL Scouting Mix, personnel boss Duke Tobin mentioned Cincinnati was angling to maintain Hendrickson, who was named first-team All-Professional final season and has a league-high 35 sacks for the reason that begin of the 2023 season. In 4 seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 57 sacks and 11 compelled fumbles.
Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and landing receptions (17) in addition to yards per sport (100.5) in 17 video games (16 begins).
The Bengals chosen Chase with the fifth general decide of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, the place he was a teammate of his quarterback in Cincinnati, two-time Professional Bowl choice Joe Burrow.
For his profession, Chase has 395 catches for five,425 yards and 46 touchdowns in 62 regular-season video games (61 begins). He additionally has 45 receptions for 588 yards and three TDs in seven playoff video games (all begins).
He has been chosen to the Professional Bowl in all 4 seasons, and was first-team All-Professional in 2024. Chase was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2021.
Higgins, 26, performed in 12 video games (9 begins) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 profession touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season video games (62 begins) since being chosen within the second spherical of the 2020 draft.
The Bengals used the No. 1 decide in the identical draft to pick Burrow, who has mentioned he could be disenchanted if Higgins does not return.
–Area Stage Media