Bengals grant sacks leader Hendrickson permission to seek trade

The Cincinnati Bengals have granted defensive end Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

"It's been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years," Hendrickson said, per Schefter. "I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options."

The 30-year-old is on the last year of his four-year, $60-million deal. He's due $16 million this season, and the two sides have been unable to agree on an extension, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted.

Hendrickson told Pat McAfee in February that a trade or a new contract were the only viable options for him. The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons are among several teams monitoring Hendrickson's situation, sources told Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

The Bengals will now focus on completing deals with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati's director of personnel Duke Tobin told reporters Feb. 25 that the team was prepared to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Higgins was franchise-tagged for the second consecutive season Monday as the Bengals work toward a long-term deal.

Hendrickson finished the 2024 campaign with an NFL-leading 17.5 sacks and was named a first-team All-Pro. He totaled 57 sacks and 155 tackles in his four seasons with the Bengals.