The Cincinnati Bengals have several top players seeking trades, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, including defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who had his best season in 2023.
“Bengals three-time Pro-Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson has asked to be traded from Cincinnati, according to a league source,” Schefter wrote on Twitter on April 24, just before he also reported star wide receiver Tee Higgins was requesting a trade. “Hendrickson is set to earn $15 million this season and wants more long-term security than Cincinnati has been willing to provide.”
Hendrickson inked a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals in 2021 and got a one-year, $21 million contract extension in July 2023 that ties him to the team until 2025.
Hendrickson achieved a career-high 17.5 sacks in 2023 and was selected as first-team NFL All-Pro. He also recorded career bests for tackles (43) and forced fumbles (3).
Hendrickson Wants Out of Cincy … Higgins Too
Schefter wasn’t finished with the Hendrickson trade request — just two minutes after his post on Hendrickson, he announced that Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins had also requested a trade.
“Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins also has asked to be traded since there have been no contract talks with the team in over a year,” stated Schefter. posted on X.
While the news about Hendrickson may have come as a surprise, this isn’t the first time Higgins has asked out of Cincinnati.
The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins in Feb. 2024, which would pay him $21.8 million in 2024. Higgins reportedly wanted a trade following the move but seemed to reverse course when speaking with FOX19 Now Cincinnati on April 14.
“I do anticipate (playing for the Bengals in 2024),” Higgins said. “I’ve developed a fondness for Cincy that I didn’t expect. Looking forward to it.”
Bengals Want Both Players in Fold in 2024
The Bengals view Hendrickson and Higgins as key pieces to returning to the top of the AFC in 2024. Hendrickson has 39.5 sacks over his last three seasons with Cincinnati and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all three seasons.
In the Bengals’ run to an AFC championship in 2021, Hendrickson achieved 3.5 sacks in four postseason games. The Bengals reacted to Hendrickson’s request within an hour of his initial report.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has already stated that he expects Higgins to be on the field for the team in 2024.
Higgins had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2021 and 2022 before seeing his numbers drop to 42 receptions for 656 receiving yards in 2023 due to missing five games because of injuries.
He also has 24 career touchdown receptions and had 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor told The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway on March 28. “We believe he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee for the last four years, and I expect this year to be no different.”
