Hendrickson, Higgins, and Chase

[CrashDavisSports]

I still think they could do something like a 2 year extension, on top of his current. Give him 2 years $70 million with $45 million guaranteed.

$15.8 + $72 = $87.8 Signing Bonus of $20 million - Guarantee of $60 million + Roster Bonus of $5 million in Year 2

2025 = $15.8 + $20 million signing bonus ($35.8 million in first year money)
2026 = $24 million + $5 million dollar Roster Bonus ($29 million second year)
2027 = $23 million

Available exit on contract would be 2027. We would take a cap hit of $11 million dollars if we cut him, but would save another $12 million on 2027's cap if we did. If he is producing and hasn't fallen off a cliff, he is an affordable cap count in 2027. Trey is guaranteed $75.8 million over the next two years and gets his security. The team looks good in t he eyes of the public opinion. Coaches and teammates get Trey guaranteed over next two years, hopefully one of those a real push for the SB and fans get a fan favorite back.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Florio has floated the idea that the Bengals have offered 28 million. No word on length of deal though. My assumption is that that number would be in the ballpark if it were a 3 year deal with guarantees. But I don't think the Bengals have any interest. So, I think it comes down to whether Trey wants to gamble away a season for the hopes of signing a long term deal elsewhere next season. Honestly, probably not in his best interests given his age. I do wonder if they can find some middle ground here - Maybe the Bengals could come around to paying him a fair market rate this season with a handshake agreement not to use the tag in the offseason. Trey doesn't get any security out of it, but he gets a big chunk of change...... That would be my hope. Unfortunately, I think the Bengals have probably proposed such a play (they have the cap room this season) but Trey is dug in on long term.

As I've said - Trey doesn't want a 1 year deal. He wants at least, IMO, 3. I would say this year plus 2 more. He also wants guarantees into his 2nd year. Something the Bengals have never done until Burrow/Chase/Higgins. Problem there is that all of those guys are 26 and have future value beyond. Not trying to say Trey can't have future value, but for the Bengals to guarantee into year 2...Trey will be 31, turning 32. I get why they don't want to do this, or continue to set this precedent with older players.

That being said - Trey is elite at his position. I've been on record as saying - pay the guy because even if he dips to 6-8 sacks this year, and 6-8 next year - teams are still going to scheme against him. He will open up a lot of avenues for the younger guys across the defense. It makes too much sense. The value the Bengals have on him and the value that Trey puts on himself only aligns these two...no one else is valuing Trey enough for picks, or enough to pay and trade...so, they are the only 2 left on the dance floor.

My guess - something gets done...we'll see what. You can almost guarantee that if Trey threatens to sit out the majority of the season, the Bengals will just leverage the Franchise tag. So, an agreement will be more like "You come, you play the full year - we won't tag you. You sit out, we'll tag you". At worst, Bengals will get a 3rd or 4th out of it, maybe multiple picks (3rd 2026, 4th or 5th 2027). Again, Bengals have nearly all the leverage. At going on 31 and 32 next season...Trey just doesn't have the time space to wait out the Bengals with any meaningful threat - UNLESS - he's willing to retire...which I've not seen any inclination.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I still think they could do something like a 2 year extension, on top of his current. Give him 2 years $70 million with $45 million guaranteed.

$15.8 + $72 = $87.8 Signing Bonus of $20 million - Guarantee of $60 million + Roster Bonus of $5 million in Year 2

2025 = $15.8 + $20 million signing bonus ($35.8 million in first year money)
2026 = $24 million + $5 million dollar Roster Bonus ($29 million second year)
2027 = $23 million

Available exit on contract would be 2027. We would take a cap hit of $11 million dollars if we cut him, but would save another $12 million on 2027's cap if we did. If he is producing and hasn't fallen off a cliff, he is an affordable cap count in 2027. Trey is guaranteed $75.8 million over the next two years and gets his security. The team looks good in t he eyes of the public opinion. Coaches and teammates get Trey guaranteed over next two years, hopefully one of those a real push for the SB and fans get a fan favorite back.

I think Trey wants most, or all, of that 2nd year guaranteed.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I think Trey wants most, or all, of that 2nd year guaranteed.

That second year would be guaranteed, and part of t he 3rd. At $60 million guaranteed, he is only getting a $20 million signing bonus. so the Bengals still have to guarantee $40 million. That 2nd year with the base of $24 and the roster of $5, only eat up another $29 million of that $60. They would not be able to get out of that contract without killing the cap until 2027. That makes the year after this one guaranteed. If he was to get cut in year 2 of the extension, 2027, he is guaranteed $11 million...and he would get get $75.8 million over the next two years guaranteed, even if he got cut in 2027. If he is producing and doesn't get cut, he would make an additional $12 million in salary. He would probably hope to get cut in 2027, Bengals take an $11 million dollar hit in cap, he goes free agent, and signs a new contract for way more than $12 million a year for a couple years.

 

[Cincyfan78]

That second year would be guaranteed, and part of t he 3rd. At $60 million guaranteed, he is only getting a $20 million signing bonus. so the Bengals still have to guarantee $40 million. That 2nd year with the base of $24 and the roster of $5, only eat up another $29 million of that $60. They would not be able to get out of that contract without killing the cap until 2027. That makes the year after this one guaranteed. If he was to get cut in year 2 of the extension, 2027, he is guaranteed $11 million...and he would get get $75.8 million over the next two years guaranteed, even if he got cut in 2027. If he is producing and doesn't get cut, he would make an additional $12 million in salary. He would probably hope to get cut in 2027, Bengals take an $11 million dollar hit in cap, he goes free agent, and signs a new contract for way more than $12 million a year for a couple years.

I mean - I see how it works...I just don't see the Bengals agreeing to this. Giving out future guaranteed years is something they actively avoid - and only did so for the top trio...and yet with all of them having 4-5-6 years still left in their prime (more for Burrow).

Not sure how this shakes out, but in the end, I expect to see Trey playing...even if he's unhappy about it. Maybe give him $12M more this year, bump his salary up to $28 - and guarantee him you won't FT him next year...might be the "meet in the middle" ending...

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I mean - I see how it works...I just don't see the Bengals agreeing to this. Giving out future guaranteed years is something they actively avoid - and only did so for the top trio...and yet with all of them having 4-5-6 years still left in their prime (more for Burrow).

Not sure how this shakes out, but in the end, I expect to see Trey playing...even if he's unhappy about it. Maybe give him $12M more this year, bump his salary up to $28 - and guarantee him you won't FT him next year...might be the "meet in the middle" ending...

Supposedly, they are already offering him $28 million. Now is that this year, or next year, don't know.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Supposedly, they are already offering him $28 million. Now is that this year, or next year, don't know.

That is for this year. I think they offered to up him to $28M for this year (roughly $12M in new money) - but aren't budging off just offering him a 1 year deal.

I do think they've offered at least a 2 or 3 year deal, but $0 in guaranteed after this year. Since he's already been "paid" a big portion of this years salary - I can understand why the $12M bump this year alone isn't enough. He wants to be sure he's also paid near the top for year 2.

I think both sides need to move a bit, but I also understand the Bengals have nearly all the leverage.

 

[DanBengalfan]

if one of the DE we're planning on using goes down with an injury, the Bengals may be more motivated.

or they won't be, because, it's just a business and they've already given up on the actual football part.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I would say this is Trey's best leverage card, but the Bengals won't care. They'll just bank on Stewart (who won't sign) and Murphy/Ossai...

When Trey was off the field last 2 years the defense ranked:
#32 pressure %
#32 completion %
#32 success %
#32 passer rating

With him on the field, they rank top 12 in each of those same categories.

 

[DanBengalfan]

they want to believe that the duct tape they applied to the defense since then will matter.

 

[Cincyfan78]

they want to believe that the duct tape they applied to the defense since then will matter.

I will say this:

I have high hopes for Golden. I like his approach, and I do think that you can expect a reasonable jump in play/scheme this year. Bigger question will be how sustainable it will be in year 2-3-4, but that's getting ahead of ourselves a bit. Lou is a really good DC, but his defense is really complex, and quite unbending when things don't work how he designs them. So far, my biggest take-away from Golden is that he has spoken often of getting the right guys in the right spots, and that impact guys can change from year to year based on who you have, and what is on the roster.

This is an approach I've been talking about for several years - getting guys in the right spots, but also finding ways to utilize each player in the best possible manner. Lou was a bit too rigid in this approach - and I think as guys aged out, and younger guys came on board - and you lose a Reader, or a Hubbard, or a Bates...he really struggled because he just expected the next guys in to do the same exact things without really scheming how best to utilize those replacement parts.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Article on Hendrickson...writer supports Bengals in their stance, and his reasoning.

MSN

 

[cincygrad]

Article on Hendrickson...writer supports Bengals in their stance, and his reasoning.

MSN

I'll be honest - I don't think that article makes much sense. First, I'm happy to give the Bengals credit for signing Henderickson. They absolutely got it right that offseason with several free agents. Nobody disputes this. Some question whether and when we'll ever have a FA class like that again, but I haven't heard one fan or writers dispute that those were good moves. Second, the Bengals are far from the only team criticized for their behavior towards their own talent.... Hell, the most popular team in the NFL, the Cowboys, are consistently in the news for the same reasons. Both clubs are slow to pay their guys, ultimately causing unnecessary offseason drama and leading the club to pay more than they would if they were more proactive. The idea that the Bengals are the only team criticized for this behavior ignores all the articles and podcasts that criticize the Cowboys for their every move. And just because a team makes a good, team-friendly deal, does not mean they should be patted on the back and continue to dig in with the player. When a guy outplays his deal, he should get paid. When a player does not live up to his deal, we certainly no how to cut salary, right?

 

[DanBengalfan]

I've stopped thinking about it. can't read minds. Hendrickson might retire for all we know.