June 10, 2025 – Cincinnati — A tense moment in the Queen City as Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson officially skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. The All-Pro is seeking a new extension and has made it loud and clear he won’t play under his current contract setup.
The Situation Unfolded
- Hendrickson arrived at the facility but chose not to participate in drills, stating he would not play under the terms of his 2025 contract, which carries a $15.8 million cap hit.
- Reportedly, the team warned him about fines for missing the mandatory sessions ― fines that range from roughly $17,462 per missed day.
What’s Behind the Holdout
- After finishing as the NFL’s sack leader with 17.5 sacks in back‑to‑back seasons, Hendrickson believes he’s earned a lucrative long-term deal, pointing to elite edge rusher benchmarks earning around $40 million annually.
- The Bengals countered with offers closer to $28 million per year, but Hendrickson’s camp sees that as too low, citing a lack of communication and a broken promise regarding his value to the team.
Team Impact & Fallout
- Cincinnati now has over $27 million in cap space, following the release of linebacker Germaine Pratt ― yet there’s no deal on the table for Hendrickson.
- With the heaviest pass rusher absent in all three minicamp days, the Bengals will have to begin defensive installation without their top edge threat—a clear signal the situation may linger.
Next Steps to Watch
- Fines vs leverage: Will Hendrickson pay the price to maintain negotiating power, or will the Bengals blink?
- Trade vs extension: Though teams are interested, both sides have emphasized his preference to stay, suggesting negotiations could continue past minicamp.
- Season outlook: Missing key offseason reps could affect both Hendrickson’s readiness and the effectiveness of Cincinnati’s defense.
In summary: A stripped-down minicamp, a public standoff over money, and the specter of missing a star in training—Hendrickson’s holdout has quickly become one of the NFL’s most compelling offseason stories.
Information from NFL.com’s “Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson won’t play 2025 under current contract,” ESPN’s coverage of holdouts, and Sports Illustrated’s report on his absence at minicamp was used in this post.
