Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was present at the team's voluntary offseason workouts despite his current trade request.
Hendrickson was seen practicing in a social media video posted by the Bengals on Monday (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com).
Cincinnati Bengals @BengalsTrench work 😤<br><br>Offseason Workouts | <a href="">@KetteringHealth</a> <a href="">
The 29-year-old initially requested a trade from the team on April 24, although he was "hopeful" to stay with the Bengals if he were given a contract extension (per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.)
While he hasn't received an extension during the 2024 offseason, he's still practicing with his teammates.
Following the trade request, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reported that Cincinnati's front office has "zero interest" in trading him and they "don't intend to do so" as the team enters the 2024 season with contending aspirations.
Prior to the 2023 season, Hendrickson agreed to a one-year extension with the Bengals that kept him under contract through 2025. He'll have cap hits of $20.16 million and $18.66 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively (via Spotrac).
Hendrickson has developed into one of the league's top pass-rushers in Cincinnati, accumulating 39.5 sacks in three seasons with the Bengals. This included a 2023 campaign in which he racked up a career-high 17.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
NFL @NFLTrey Hendrickson's 17th sack of the season is a strip sack!<br><br>📺: <a href="">#CINvsKC</a> on CBS<br>📱: Stream on <a href="">#NFLPlus</a> <a href=""> <a href="">
He's a crucial part of a Bengals defense that has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks when he's not on the field, as no other player on the roster recorded more than six sacks in 2023.
Keeping a player who has requested a trade is common for Cincinnati, as the team held onto tackle Jonah Williams in 2023 despite his request to be moved during the prior offseason.
Former safety Jessie Bates skipped offseason workouts and parts of training camp as he looked for a long-term contract in 2022, although he returned to the team and started 16 games before leaving in free agency during the ensuing offseason.
After a disappointing last-place finish in the AFC North following consecutive AFC title game appearances, Hendrickson and the Bengals appear to be on the same page once again as they head into the 2024 season.
