THE Cincinnati Bengals are being tipped to lose one of their biggest stars to a massive rival.
Trey Hendrickson is refusing to play for the Bengals, and a trade may be the only resolution to this situation.

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Hendrickson has blossomed into one of the biggest defensive stars in the NFL, but for some reason the Bengals refuse to pay him that way.
Over the last four seasons, Hendrickson has gone to four straight Pro Bowls and made the All-Pro team in 2024.
He has 57 sacks, 53 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles, and 155 combined tackles over that four year span.
Despite all of that, Hendrickson is playing on just a $21 million deal, about half of what fellow defensive end Myles Garrett is making with the Cleveland Browns.
In the last four years, Garrett has just three more sacks than Hendrickson.
The Bengals haven’t been shy about handing out money to their star players, but Hendrickson hasn’t been included in that spending spree.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was given a four-year, $161 million extension and fellow receiver Tee Higgins got a four-year, $115 million contract in March.
Hendrickson got no such love and has since spoken out about his frustration with the Bengals.
“We’ve tried to keep it as least amount as personal as possible, but at some point in this process it’s becomes personal,” Hendrickson said.
“Being sent 30 days before mandatory camp, or how many ever days it is, that if I don’t show up I will be fined alludes to the fact that something won’t get done in that time frame.”
Hendrickson revealed he won’t play for the Bengals on his current contract, but also said he thinks his relationship with the team can be repaired.
“That relationship will repair with time,” Hendrickson said.
“And same with this. This is just the uncomfortable business side that we’ve unfortunately had to deal with for the last couple years.
“And quite frankly, I think we’re all spent.”
There’s no telling if that relationship can be repaired though, and if it can’t Hendrickson will probably be sent to a new team.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
Sports Illustrated believes the Detroit Lions are the front runners in a potential trade for the star edge rusher.
The Lions defense would be terrifying if Hendrickson could team up alongside the team’s young star in Aidan Hutchinson.
It would probably take at least one first-round pick in a trade for Hendrickson, but it’s something the Lions can afford.
They own their first round picks for the next three years, and are more focused on competing for Super Bowls now than adding young talent.
If Hendrickson ends up on a new team in 2025, keep an eye out for the Lions to make a move.