Star quarterback Joe Burrow is campaigning for his teammate Trey Hendrickson to get paid by admitting how his situation is affecting the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ difficulties with player contracts have been well documented to this point. Having now gotten past a few recent cases in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, perhaps the most complicated negotiation this offseason has been left unresolved again with Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson is entering the final year of his current contract with the desire for an extension, claiming that his league-leading sack numbers have proved of his deserved salary promotion.
With the Bengals’ front office sitting on their hands after Hendrickson’s public threats, the star edge rusher is exercising a holdout from mandatory minicamp – something his teammates wish didn’t have to be the case.
Burrow may remember how Chase and Higgins’ contract disputes affected their attendance at team activities last offseason. He has broken his silence about Hendrickson’s situation doing the same this year.
“Of course,” Burrow said when being asked if Hendrickson’s holdout is a distraction.
He did, however, admit that there is some type of progress … if you want to call it that.
“Last year we had two. This year we have one, so we do have less. You’d love to have none, but that’s life in the NFL.
“We’re all supporting Trey, and we’d love for him to be back,” Burrow said.
Is Trey Hendrickson’s situation a distraction?
Joe Burrow: “Of course.” #Bengals@WCPOpic.twitter.com/7yihKGkO2E
— Marshall Kramsky (@marshallkramsky) June 10, 2025
Hendrickson has registered 17.5 sacks each of the last two seasons, last year finishing with the most in the league and earning a First Team All-Pro distinction.
He would make $15.8 million this season on his current deal but has already stated that he is not afraid to extend his holdout through training camp and even the regular season if he and the organization don’t agree to a deal.
Especially after the boom to the market this offseason, a pass rusher of Hendrickson’s caliber can easily deserve to make anywhere from $28-40 million a season.
Until the Bengals make any progress in these negotiations, Hendrickson’s holdout may continue to be the headlining distraction of the team’s offseason.
Related: Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson Could Be Out Something More Than $100,000 for Minicamp Holdout
Related: Hendrickson Not Reporting To Bengals Mandatory Minicamp As Major Questions Loom
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.