By Blessing 
At the start of this NFL offseason, expectations were high for the edge rusher market to heat up. With several big-name defenders entering contract years and not much movement since T.J. Watt’s 2021 extension or Nick Bosa’s recent deal, many anticipated fireworks. And they got them.
The Las Vegas Raiders kicked things off, even though Maxx Crosby still had two years left on his contract. That move set off a chain reaction. The Cleveland Browns, seeing the market shifting, made a similar play that resulted in Myles Garrett being removed from the trade block. Garrett’s new deal now stands at $40 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. That deal has even influenced other elite players like Ja’Marr Chase to raise their contract expectations.
Despite the activity, many edge rushers are still negotiating, with some of the league’s best still waiting on extensions or in standoffs with their teams.
Let’s check in on some of the most notable unresolved edge rusher situations as training camps approach.
Trey Hendrickson – Cincinnati Bengals
This situation might be the most tense of them all. Hendrickson has taken a strong stance, going public with his displeasure and even threatening to hold out into the regular season. The Bengals, who have historically been firm in trade or contract disputes (see Carson Palmer), aren’t budging easily.
Even though Joe Burrow advocated for Hendrickson’s extension — just like he did with Tee Higgins — the Bengals haven’t offered a deal in the ballpark of $35 million per year, which would place Hendrickson among the top earners at his position. Instead, they reportedly prefer another one-year add-on like the one he signed in 2023 worth $21 million.
Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season and turns 31 soon, knows time is not on his side. He’s been a vital part of Cincinnati’s defense, and with the team’s unit slipping in 2024, his presence is essential. But as of now, both sides remain far apart.
Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions
The Lions made an early move to secure right tackle Penei Sewell with a contract that set new highs for his position. Now, with Hutchinson fully recovered from a broken leg and preparing for his fourth training camp, the focus has shifted to locking down their defensive star.
Hutchinson, still only 25, is entering the prime of his career and is expected to top the edge rusher market. General Manager Brad Holmes has admitted that market shifts elsewhere could influence the final numbers. Though the Lions have time with Hutchinson under team control through 2026 via his fifth-year option, locking him in early would likely be more cost-effective.
Hutchinson was the NFL’s leader in quarterback pressures in 2023, and a repeat performance could only drive his price higher. Talks are expected to pick up now that he’s been medically cleared.
Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys
Parsons has been eligible for an extension since January 2024, and despite some rumors about potential trades, he’s stayed put in Dallas. After seeing both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb receive massive deals, Parsons made it clear he expects similar treatment.
While he hasn’t made any official threats to hold out, Parsons noted, “Waiting will only make my price go up.” There have been whispers of a potential $50 million-per-year deal being floated by his camp. Though that number may be a bit high, the bar has certainly been raised by recent deals for Garrett and Crosby.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are hesitating — particularly over the contract’s length. Recent NFL trends have leaned toward shorter-term deals due to the rapidly increasing salary cap, and Parsons wants flexibility. Both he and team owner Jerry Jones have reportedly agreed on the general price range, but as of yet, no formal deal is in place.
Shemar Stewart – Cincinnati Bengals
Stewart’s situation is very different but still significant. As a rookie, he hasn’t signed his contract due to disputes over specific clauses and bonus structures. The Bengals want to include a clause that would escalate default triggers in future contract years. Stewart and his agent aren’t comfortable with that.
He also took issue with his bonus structure not aligning with recent first-round picks from the team. As a result, Stewart skipped much of minicamp, and both of the Bengals’ top edge defenders were missing from offseason workouts. For a defense that struggled in 2024, this is far from ideal.
Even though Stewart’s rookie deal is fully guaranteed at $18.96 million, the dispute highlights the Bengals’ reputation for rigid negotiations. Unless the team makes concessions, Stewart may be forced to sign a deal he’s not happy with just to get on the field.
T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt, a veteran and perennial All-Pro, surprised many by skipping minicamp. His 2021 hold-in strategy ended in a major extension, but this time around, he’s taking a more aggressive route. Watt wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid defender and has every right to ask — he’s 30, still playing at a high level, and is coming off another dominant season.
The Steelers, however, are reportedly uncomfortable with both the guarantee structure and the contract length Watt is seeking. Pittsburgh hasn’t typically guaranteed salaries beyond the first year of a contract, but they broke that precedent once — for Watt himself in 2021.
Though trade buzz briefly emerged, the Steelers aren’t likely to move him after going all-in with veteran acquisitions like Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey. Watt’s presence is crucial if they hope to contend in 2025.
Both sides want a deal before training camp starts, but no agreement is close. And given that the Steelers have not negotiated extensions during the season since 1993, the clock is ticking.
Final Thoughts
What was once considered a slow-moving edge rusher market has become one of the offseason’s biggest stories. Between Hendrickson’s public frustrations, Hutchinson’s looming mega-deal, Parsons’ growing price tag, Watt’s contract chess match, and Stewart’s rookie standoff, the edge position is suddenly a focal point.
As camps near, these unresolved issues could have massive ripple effects not just on the teams involved, but on the entire defensive landscape of the NFL. Extensions will get done — eventually. But for now, uncertainty reigns at the edge.
Stay tuned. The next few weeks might be just as explosive as these pass rushers on third-and-long.