At this point, Cincinnati Bengals fans are looking for any form of good news involving Trey Hendrickson and his contentious contract negotiations in pursuit of an extension.
They saw it on the sideline on Saturday as the Bengals played their preseason finale.
Multiple viewpoints captured Hendrickson encouraging and helping his teammates from the sideline throughout the game.
Trey Hendrickson está no Paycor Stadium!
Prestando atenção em cada jogada!#INDvsCIN pic.twitter.com/rTIJc6XjR3
— Bengals Brasil (@CincyBengalsBR) August 23, 2025
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On the one hand, that’s exactly what you’d want to see from a team leader, regardless of contract status.
On the other hand, it definitely counts for more coming from Hendrickson given the circumstance.
He has made clear he won’t play this fall for the $16 million he’s owed in the current final year of his active contract.
Hendrickson held out for a bit at the start of training camp, too. But when he arrived to partake in a hold-in instead, he almost immediately was out on the practice field helping first-round rookie Shemar Stewart. Hendrickson hasn’t suited up himself, but he wants to see his teammates succeed.
That really should make him even more desirable as a big signing for Bengals ownership. Hendrickson clearly values what Cincinnati has built and wants to be a part of it.
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It just seems like the math is still a bit tough for the Bengals, and that Hendrickson hasn’t found a way to meet them in the middle.
In the meantime, Hendrickson looks prepared to keep helping his team in other ways.
Clearly, his best role is on the field, where he’s had 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons.
But if Hendrickson is on the sideline, it looks like he can make a big difference from there, for sure, even if it’s not one worth $30 million or more per year.
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