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Trey Hendrickson says skipping camp is ‘selfish’ toward younger players<\/p>\n
Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson explains his decision to end his holdout and report to camp despite ongoing contract disputes.<\/p>\n
Sports Seriously<\/p>\n
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson ended his holdout but is still seeking a new contract.Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks over the past two seasons and wants to be paid more than the $21 million he is due in 2025.Hendrickson expressed optimism about being ready for Week 1 despite the contract dispute.<\/p>\n
CINCINNATI \u2014 Still without the new contract<\/a> he is seeking, Trey Hendrickson<\/a> turned his holdout into a “hold-in”<\/a> Wednesday at Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> training camp. Most of the team’s fans lined up for a glimpse of the edge rusher \u2013 who has the most sacks in the NFL over the last two seasons \u2013 had already turned toward the practice fields by the time Hendrickson emerged from Paycor Stadium’s tunnel to watch his teammates practice.<\/p>\n Hendrickson won’t take the field until the ink is dry on the parchment. Instead, wearing his white cap and black sweats, Hendrickson chatted with defensive line coach\/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery as the Bengals stretched and warmed up. He meandered over to the stationary bikes. And he watched as quarterback Joe Burrow dotted passes and the Bengals’ defense turned up the intensity amid a solid practice for both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not interested in going over what I\u2019ve said before. I think everything\u2019s out there,\u201d Hendrickson said at his locker after practice.<\/p>\n With 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons (the mark led the league in 2024), Hendrickson is seeking better compensation that exceeds the $16 million he’s due to make in 2025, the final year of the extension he agreed to after his first two of four consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns.<\/p>\n Recognition is fine, Hendrickson said. But security is what he values most.<\/p>\n “I can\u2019t do any more at this time to rush the passer on Sundays,” Hendrickson said. “The hay is in the barn. It\u2019s just whether we agree or not.<\/p>\n “Moving forward, we\u2019ll see what transpires.”<\/p>\n Hendrickson first asked for a trade in April 2024 and has been adamant about not playing this season on his current deal. But he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and made his first All-Pro team following another strong season, which provided the player with more leverage. The Bengals granted him permission to seek a trade March 6, as the front office first focused on the extensions of wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.<\/p>\n The negotiations took a dramatic turn when Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said on April 1: “I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point.” Hendrickson expressed his dismay with the negotiations the next day on “The Pat McAfee Show.” Talks resumed in June, but the sides could not come to an agreement.<\/p>\n As camp started, he posted a photo in his native Florida, a signal that he would be holding out. On Monday, ESPN reported there was still a gap in the talks over guaranteed money.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever you can have a guy like that in the building, who\u2019s not (playing), it\u2019s good to see his face, it\u2019s good to have his presence,\u201d quarterback Joe Burrow said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be a big, big part of this team this year. Just to have him around made a big difference in the energy around here.\u201d<\/p>\n That energy is felt less so at practice but Hendrickson\u2019s \u201cunique\u201d intensity is felt more around the training and meeting rooms, Burrow said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s good for us,\u201d\u00a0said Burrow, who added: \u201cThis is the guy that has the most sacks over the last two years, and production has value in this league.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n