Trey Hendrickson addresses contract situation, says he’s focused on mentoring

Trey Hendrickson isn’t hiding. He’s just not talking about his contract.

The Bengals’ veteran edge rusher spoke for seven minutes at his locker, making it clear that while his deal remains untouched, his commitment to the team hasn’t wavered.

“Things are exactly the same,” Hendrickson said when asked about his contract status. “What I'm not going to do, is as best I can do, avoid being a distraction.”

That wasn’t just lip service. Hendrickson seemed fully aware of how his presence would be interpreted. With the cameras rolling, contract questions looming, and the Bengals fresh off a summer of speculation. But instead of sidestepping the media, he stepped right into a leadership role.

He spoke about mentoring younger players and setting the right tone at camp. He didn’t vent. He mentioned guys who mentored him as a young guy himself like Sam Hubbard, Cameron Jordan, and Demario Davis. If anything, Hendrickson’s message was quite strong and firm, that he’s here, and  handling his business.

Hendrickson, 30, has been one of Cincinnati’s most consistent defensive forces since arriving in 2021, stacking double-digit sack seasons and making back-to-back Pro Bowls. He’s entering the final years of a contract that now looks team-friendly given the exploding pass rusher market, and he’s reportedly been seeking more long-term security.

But that conversation will not allow this contract battle to play out publicly like so many others have done.

Whether the Bengals decide to revisit the deal remains to be seen. But if his tone said anything, it’s that Hendrickson is doing his part to make sure the issue doesn’t spill onto the field.

“I want to be here for my guys,” he said. “That’s the focus.”