Trey Hendrickson is reportedly locked in a ‘stalemate’ with the Bengals and has ‘no interest’ in playing on his current salary.

The defensive end is slated to earn a base salary of $15.8million for the 2025 season, after agreeing a $21million extension in July 2023.

But, according to ESPN, Hendrickson and the Bengals are at an impᴀsse, with the 30-year-old ‘convicted enough to stay away from the team’. 

Cincinnati has had a busy offseason, securing extensions for star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

After months of uncertainty, Chase ($161m) and Higgins ($115m) signed new deals worth a combined $276m over the next four years.

It represented a huge boost for Cincinnati, who secured the future of Joe Burrow’s top receivers. But now the Bengals are facing a feud with four-time Pro Bowler Hendrickson.

Trey Hendrickson is reportedly locked in a ‘stalemate’ with the Cincinnati Bengals

The four-time Pro Bowler is said to have ‘no interest’ in playing on his current $16million salary

Cincinnati selected defensive end Shemar Stewart in the first round of the NFL draft

ESPN reports that ‘this is a waiting game’ and rookie Shemar Stewart could step up to take Hendrickson’s place unless a breakthrough is found.

The Bengals selected the former Texas A&M standout with the 17th overall pick of last month’s NFL draft. 

It’s claimed that Cincinnati’s move for the 21-year-old was not explicitly linked to Hendrickson’s contract standoff.

Stewart, a native of Miami, is 6ft 5ins tall and weighs 267lbs. He was ranked as one of the best defensive players in the class of 2025. 

Hendrickson, meanwhile, joined the Bengals in 2021 after beginning his career with the New Orleans Saints.