The Detroit Lions’ Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals just got a little more intriguing.
Star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, has resumed contract talks with the Bengals after skipping offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the All-Pro defensive end is still pushing for a long-term deal and wants to secure his future in Cincinnati.
Hendrickson, 30, has made it clear he’s not showing up without a new contract. His minicamp absence could cost him over $100,000 in fines—but with the edge rusher market exploding, he might be aiming for a contract that exceeds $40 million annually. That’s in line with what stars like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett have recently pulled in.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is staying focused on the players who are actually in the building. “Anytime you have great players, you want them to be around,” Taylor said, adding that he’ll stick with the guys who are showing up to work.
The Lions, meanwhile, will be watching this situation closely. Hendrickson’s eventual deal could set the tone for their own negotiations with Aidan Hutchinson. The former No. 2 overall pick is due for an extension soon, and the market is only getting more expensive.
So when Detroit faces Cincinnati in early October, the big question might not just be how to block Hendrickson—it might be whether he’s even in uniform.
Lions to Face Bengals’ Sack Leader in Week 5—But Will He Still Be Holding Out?
