Trey Hendrickson Update

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-06-2025, 11:21 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Agents are incentivized not only on current contracts, but also to uphold a reputation and track record to sign future clients. 

Consequently; to get an above market value contract is a matter of prestige and street cred.

At times, it is a dis-service to the player and organization - i.e. conflict of interest with their own client. Tee's agent was stuck on this point.

I feel strongly that a $35M, multiyear deal for Trey is above his market value. Playing the media card is available to all parties. The talking heads are for sale to anyone willing to pay.

BTW; Don Yee who represented Brady, is doing quite well regardless of the perceived below market deals he arranged for Brady. 

Okay I get that Tees agent wasn't making an exception for the Bengals and was going to hold them to the same standard that the rest of the league would do as far as guarantees most likely. I just don't get why we would blame Treys agent when hes signed Bengals style contracts. I haven't heard 35 million per as an asking price but a 3yr 35mil per plus his current 16mil is really 30.5 per year. Seems reasonable to me. I think DE is an expensive position. The Bengals want a deal at this spot if that means lack luster production they don't care as long as it's cheap. Unfortunately Trey has been the sack leader and a top 10 edge player. They don't want to pay that so they should do him the service of trading him ( for the best offer ) and let him be compensated for his play.

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-06-2025, 11:40 PM)XsandOs Wrote: This was the SI analysis of Hendrickson signing in 2021:

Trey Hendrickson, Edge: C+

Trey Hendrickson busted onto the scene last season, finishing with 13.5 sacks. He made the most of his chances on a pick-your-poison defensive front in New Orleans. The move stinks a bit like desperation after Carl Lawson took a deal with the Jets late Monday evening. The Bengals had the fewest sacks in the league with Lawson, and there isn't a strong argument that Hendrickson is an upgrade over the Auburn-product on the right side.

Value: The Bengals have essentially signed Hendrickson to a year-by-year contract with a total 2021 payout of $20 million dollars. There are no hard commitments following this season, leaving Hendrickson the task of proving he can be a perennial 10+ sack player. This is the clear difference from the deal Lawson signed, which includes $30 million in guarantees. If he pops, the Bengals get great value in replacing Lawson. While the opposite leaves the team in a similar spot to where they were Sunday—searching for a premier sack artist.

Paying $20M in 2021 for a guy who many felt was a beneficiary of playing on a defensive line of Cam Jordan and Sheldon Rankins, was above market value. But the Bengals did it.

He now feels that he is the center of Bengal defense universe, and is holding the Bengals hostage with a plastic water gun. He is a 30 year old DE AND UNDER CONTRACT. 

I find that hilarious and simultaneously sad.

I do find the first sentence in the section interesting. The Bengals essentially gave him a year by year contract with only 16mil guaranteed. Seems to shine a bit of a better light on Trey if he knew he signed a year by year contract that could see him cut if he failed to play well but then seemingly give him the right to ask for more if he outplayed said contract. I do find it hilarious and sad as well that we've all been fans of the Bengals long enough to believe theyre lies. They value money over production/winning and Treys production is too good to be compensated per the league standards. 

[XsandOs]

(06-07-2025, 09:41 AM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: Okay I get that Tees agent wasn't making an exception for the Bengals and was going to hold them to the same standard that the rest of the league would do as far as guarantees most likely. I just don't get why we would blame Treys agent when hes signed Bengals style contracts. I haven't heard 35 million per as an asking price but a 3yr 35mil per plus his current 16mil is really 30.5 per year. Seems reasonable to me. I think DE is an expensive position. The Bengals want a deal at this spot if that means lack luster production they don't care as long as it's cheap. Unfortunately Trey has been the sack leader and a top 10 edge player. They don't want to pay that so they should do him the service of trading him ( for the best offer ) and let him be compensated for his play.

The only thing we know as fact is that he is under contract for one year. That is all. Everything else is conjecture. Contractually speaking; Bengals don't have to do a thing. 

If he comes to an agreement on a one year deal, and gets a no tag clause in the language, then he can move on to the highest bidder next year.

If he cannot come to an agreement and chooses to not play, then he is essentially retiring from NFL. 

Opinion: He needs the Bengals as much, if not more, than the Bengals need him. The only card he has to play is the not play/retire card. Bengals just drafted a first rounder they can put on the field - good, bad or indifferent. But Trey has nowhere to go. 

Opinion: As a Bengal fan, I would love to see Trey on the field this year with us. 

[Soonerpeace]

Trey wants to not go through another contract. He wants to retire. The Bengals aren’t going to be his umbrella or parachute. What he’s asking for is way too much.

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-07-2025, 01:41 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Trey wants to not go through another contract. He wants to retire. The Bengals aren’t going to be his umbrella or parachute. What he’s asking for is way too much.

This is where I think we've all been fooled into believing the Bengals lies and or seeing things purely thru a FO lense. Let's just say he wants 35mil per year for 3 years. A 3yr 105mil dollar extension. I think we can all agree 2 yrs guaranteed is very unlikely and Trey almost certainly wouldn't expect it or ask for that. But even if they gave him that with 70 million guaranteed why can't the Bengals give him some more money now in a signing bonus and create a void year. Spread the money out with the full 35 cap hit only in his final year when you can release or restructure him in his final year. I get money over values talent for the team but does it really for the fans as well?

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(06-06-2025, 10:21 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: What wouldn't he be doing on his own? I'm sure he wants a new contract and he has limited resources to push the issue so yes his agent is saying go to the media but that is standard operating procedure. I also haven't heard.specific demands on guarantees just that he wants years and not incentives that are out of his control. I'm just not sure on blaming the agent because he has signed contracts with Bengal style guarantees already so seems hes willing to work with them.

The agent has to shelter some blame here just going off of history. First you said he only wants a 1 year deal and now you are saying he wants
years, I don't understand your argument here Nug. I agree that Trey wants multi years and that is the hold up.

(06-06-2025, 11:21 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Agents are incentivized not only on current contracts, but also to uphold a reputation and track record to sign future clients. 

Consequently; to get an above market value contract is a matter of prestige and street cred.

At times, it is a dis-service to the player and organization - i.e. conflict of interest with their own client. Tee's agent was stuck on this point.

I feel strongly that a $35M, multiyear deal for Trey is above his market value. Playing the media card is available to all parties. The talking heads are for sale to anyone willing to pay.

BTW; Don Yee who represented Brady, is doing quite well regardless of the perceived below market deals he arranged for Brady. 

Well said XsandOs. 

(06-06-2025, 11:40 PM)XsandOs Wrote: This was the SI analysis of Hendrickson signing in 2021:

Trey Hendrickson, Edge: C+

Trey Hendrickson busted onto the scene last season, finishing with 13.5 sacks. He made the most of his chances on a pick-your-poison defensive front in New Orleans. The move stinks a bit like desperation after Carl Lawson took a deal with the Jets late Monday evening. The Bengals had the fewest sacks in the league with Lawson, and there isn't a strong argument that Hendrickson is an upgrade over the Auburn-product on the right side.

Value: The Bengals have essentially signed Hendrickson to a year-by-year contract with a total 2021 payout of $20 million dollars. There are no hard commitments following this season, leaving Hendrickson the task of proving he can be a perennial 10+ sack player. This is the clear difference from the deal Lawson signed, which includes $30 million in guarantees. If he pops, the Bengals get great value in replacing Lawson. While the opposite leaves the team in a similar spot to where they were Sunday—searching for a premier sack artist.

Paying $20M in 2021 for a guy who many felt was a beneficiary of playing on a defensive line of Cam Jordan and Sheldon Rankins, was above market value. But the Bengals did it.

He now feels that he is the center of Bengal defense universe, and is holding the Bengals hostage with a plastic water gun. He is a 30 year old DE AND UNDER CONTRACT. 

I find that hilarious and simultaneously sad.

Interesting.

[Soonerpeace]

(06-07-2025, 01:59 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: This is where I think we've all been fooled into believing the Bengals lies and or seeing things purely thru a FO lense. Let's just say he wants 35mil per year for 3 years. A 3yr 105mil dollar extension. I think we can all agree 2 yrs guaranteed is very unlikely and Trey almost certainly wouldn't expect it or ask for that. But even if they gave him that with 70 million guaranteed why can't the Bengals give him some more money now in a signing bonus and create a void year. Spread the money out with the full 35 cap hit only in his final year when you can release or restructure him in his final year. I get money over values talent for the team but does it really for the fans as well?

The number I heard was way unrealistic and aligns with why there’d be no reason for further communication as reported by Trey. The Bengals want to sign him.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(06-07-2025, 02:53 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: The number I heard was way unrealistic and aligns with why there’d be no reason for further communication as reported by Trey. The Bengals want to sign him.

So 35+ mil for 4 years or something?

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-07-2025, 03:59 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: So 35+ mil for 4 years or something?

But even if it was 4yrs at 35 they aren't gonna guarantee that much. So the risk isn't that bad because you could release him in the later years. 

[007BengalsFan]

(06-07-2025, 01:59 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: ...But even if they gave him that with 70 million guaranteed why can't the Bengals give him some more money now in a signing bonus and create a void year...

You give him a bunch of money upfront, he will act like he never got that money 2 years from now.  The Bengals gave Trey a 21 million extension for the 2025 season with an 8 million dollar signing bonus.  Now you have people saying he is only being paid 15.8 million for the 2025 season forgetting all the millions Trey has already been paid upfront for 2025.  If this is the way these guys are going to behave when you front load their contract, its probably time to stop front loading contracts or else they are going to act like they never were paid those millions upfront already.

[Soonerpeace]

(06-07-2025, 03:59 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: So 35+ mil for 4 years or something?

Yes 

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-08-2025, 01:03 AM)007BengalsFan Wrote: You give him a bunch of money upfront, he will act like he never got that money 2 years from now.  The Bengals gave Trey a 21 million extension for the 2025 season with an 8 million dollar signing bonus.  Now you have people saying he is only being paid 15.8 million for the 2025 season forgetting all the millions Trey has already been paid upfront for 2025.  If this is the way these guys are going to behave when you front load their contract, its probably time to stop front loading contracts or else they are going to act like they never were paid those millions upfront already.

But they like front loading because it limits the contracts they can fit into the cap.

[XsandOs]

(06-07-2025, 03:59 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: So 35+ mil for 4 years or something?

I would suggest a 2-year extension at $70M. No guarantees beyond the signing bonus.

$15M signing bonus - bringing his total 2025 payout of $31M.

$30M 2026.

$25M 2027.

The signing bonus prorated over the three years would mean $5M dead cap in 2026 and 2027 if he is released next year.

[Brownshoe]

(06-08-2025, 03:56 PM)XsandOs Wrote: I would suggest a 2-year extension at $70M. No guarantees beyond the signing bonus.

$15M signing bonus - bringing his total 2025 payout of $31M.

$30M 2026.

$25M 2027.

The signing bonus prorated over the three years would mean $5M dead cap in 2026 and 2027 if he is released next year.

No way Trey signs only a 2 year extension. He's going to be looking for a longer term contract because of his age.

[XsandOs]

(06-08-2025, 06:44 PM)Brownshoe Wrote: No way Trey signs only a 2 year extension. He's going to be looking for a longer term contract because of his age.

The irony of this entire saga.

[NUGDUKWE]

(06-08-2025, 03:56 PM)XsandOs Wrote: I would suggest a 2-year extension at $70M. No guarantees beyond the signing bonus.

$15M signing bonus - bringing his total 2025 payout of $31M.

$30M 2026.

$25M 2027.

The signing bonus prorated over the three years would mean $5M dead cap in 2026 and 2027 if he is released next year.

I doubt he asks for too much in guaranteed money. So what would be the harm in putting in another year if the team could walk away in the last year?

[Stewy]

(06-08-2025, 06:44 PM)Brownshoe Wrote: No way Trey signs only a 2 year extension. He's going to be looking for a longer term contract because of his age.

Which he won't get because of his age.

[XsandOs]

(06-08-2025, 07:29 PM)Stewy Wrote: Which he won't get because of his age.

Classic catch 22.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(06-08-2025, 03:56 PM)XsandOs Wrote: I would suggest a 2-year extension at $70M. No guarantees beyond the signing bonus.

$15M signing bonus - bringing his total 2025 payout of $31M.

$30M 2026.

$25M 2027.

The signing bonus prorated over the three years would mean $5M dead cap in 2026 and 2027 if he is released next year.

There'd be no reason for him to sign that then. 

Signing a deal with only $15m guaranteed would put him at 61st in total guaranteed money and 48th in guaranteed at signing money among EDGE players in 2025.

In your suggestion 2026 and 2027 only exist to underpay him (compared to the market) if he does well, and let him easily get cut if he underperforms.

- - - - - -

Chase Young who has never had a 8.0 sack season, this offseason got a $17m signing bonus, $27.2m guaranteed at signing, and $33m total guaranteed.

A guy with back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons coming off a 1st Team All-Pro season is not going to sign for $15m guaranteed.

[XsandOs]

(06-08-2025, 07:28 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: I doubt he asks for too much in guaranteed money. So what would be the harm in putting in another year if the team could walk away in the last year?

Nugdukwe; I get a feeling the Bengals don't want him beyond 2026 - if not 2025. 

I think with investing a first rounder on his replacement, Bengals are looking at Shemar shadowing him this year and taking over next year. 

As I hear and read (I don't know any facts), Trey wants a multi-year extension. Obviously he doesn't want to compete with Mica Parsons and TJ Watt contracts next year.

Also, I think that the salary cap will not expand as it has in the past few years. Additionally; the draft legislation in the House to cut in half the tangible asset tax deduction by the owners, would affect Team values, which could affect the cap as well. 

His aim, understandably, is long-term deal this year with guarantees. But the Bengals know all this as well.  

So, something has to give here.