Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown didn’t shy away when asked about star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson’s holdout as training camp opened July 21, 2025. Acknowledging the tension, Brown made one thing clear: “We want him here.” It’s been a drawn-out negotiation, he admitted, but he remains optimistic it will be resolved soon.

Hendrickson, 30, is entering the last year of his deal and has already skipped all offseason mandatory workouts. With two consecutive 17.5-sack seasons and 35 sacks since 2023, including leading the entire NFL in sacks in 2024, he believes he’s earned a payday. Brown noted the Bengals made their own offer but insisted Hendrickson deserves a raise.

“A Good Guy…Sometimes Hard to Deal With”

Brown offered praise for Hendrickson as a fine player and a good guy. But he was candid about the challenges of negotiating: “Dealing with him is sometimes not so easy.” That blunt honesty reflects the emotional stakes on both sides in what Brown called sometimes silliness.

Still, he said the contract talks aren’t broken. “I’m not persuaded that it isn’t going to get done,” Brown said. “The sooner the better.” He emphasized that it’s not about money. Guarantees and structure are at the heart of the delay.

Why the Holdout Matters

Hendrickson isn’t just any player. Since 2023, only a handful of defenders, Reggie White, Richard Dent, J.J. Watt, Mark Gastineau, have posted back-to-back seasons with 17-plus sacks. Hendrickson is in that elite tier. The Bengals rely heavily on his pass-rush ability. Without it, their defense would lack a consistent threat off the edge.

Meanwhile, other edge defenders are cashing in big. Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have secured mega-deals worth over $40 million annually. That market shift adds weight to Hendrickson’s case for a significant bump.

Comparisons Across the League

It’s hard to ignore how the edge rusher market has exploded. Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal. Watt got $41 million annually. Maxx Crosby scored $106.5 million over three years. With those precedents, Hendrickson appears justified in wanting multi-year security and big guarantees. That is something the Bengals haven’t fully matched.

What’s Next?

The Bengals weren’t planning to trade Hendrickson, Brown stressed. He expects the breakthrough to happen soon, even if it doesn’t come today or tomorrow. As for the rookie Shemar Stewart, also in contract limbo, Brown described that situation as peculiar and silliness, but expects it too will eventually resolve.

Coach Zac Taylor said he spoke recently with Hendrickson but didn’t reveal details. Duke Tobin, the player personnel director, reinforced the expectation. Anyone under contract is expected to show up, and Hendrickson is under contract.

Breaking It Down

Both sides seem to want this done. Hendrickson wants multi-year guarantees. The Bengals want financial flexibility. Brown’s willingness to praise and critique suggests he respects Hendrickson but won’t overpay. With camp underway, time is ticking and Cincinnati needs its best pass rusher firing from Day 1.

The tone is tense but hopeful. Brown’s optimism feels grounded. He’s seen similar standoffs before. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that Hendrickson loves Cincy, and the Bengals want him. Now they’ve just got to get on the same page.