While Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed extension talks, the parties still do not appear to close to an agreement. With other monster edge rush deals looming, a waiting game could ensue which has an impact on the 2024 NFL sack leader.
Micah Parsons has yet to sign a Cowboys extension, one which could move him to the top of the pecking order amongst edge rushers (and, quite possibly, all non-quarterbacks). At the age of 26, Parsons is preparing to land his second career contract. That factor makes his situation somewhat different than that of Hendrickson or Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt.
The latter is entering his age-31 season, something which is also the case for Hendrickson. Both could be looking at similar deals with their respective teams as a result. With training camp approaching, though, considerable work on both fronts is still needed to hammer out an agreement. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted during a recent Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link) that Hendrickson could aim to wait for Watt’s deal in particular (and perhaps Parsons’ as well) before signing his own with the Bengals.
Unlike last offseason, Cincinnati gave Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. Offers came in, but the team’s asking price of a first-round pick (or a package of similar value) was not met. No trade is currently expected, although it remains to be seen if the four-time Pro Bowler will report to training camp in the absence of an extension. Hendrickson skipped mandatory minicamp, drawing fines in the process. The same would be true if he were to engage in a training camp holdout.
Pelissero confirms Hendrickson is not seeking to match the value of Myles Garrett‘s Browns extension (which checks in at a market-topping $40MM per season on average). The Bengals’ best known offer to date has not reached the $35MM-per-year mark, a value which would place him in the next financial tier for veteran pass rushers. Watt could also be in line for a Steelers pact worth roughly that amount if/when he and the team can reach agreement on a third pact.
In each of these cases, there is still time to avoid potential absences or missed practice reps during training camp. With the EDGE market positioned to move once more late in the offseason, though, it will certainly be interesting to see how one deal affects the others. Given Hendrickson’s impact on a Bengals defense which struggled even with him in place last season, he could especially look to leverage the Watt situation for a multi-year commitment.
