Look: Former Bengals Star Andrew Whitworth Drops Theory About Trey Hendrickson Trade Saga

Cincinnati is letting the edge rusher discover his value.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates a stop in the first quarter of the NFL Week One game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. The Bengals led 14-7 at halftime. Minnesota Vikings At Cincinnati Bengals / Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC

CINCINNATI — Star Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is reportedly on the trade block with the Bengals' permission, but one former Cincinnati talent thinks it could just be a way to fully gauge Hendrickson's contract value.

The Bengals' top defensive player is set to earn $16 million in the final year of his contract this fall. That would be a massive underpay compared to his other pass-rushing peers at the top of a league he led in sacks last season (17.5).

Former Bengals offensive tackle and current Amazon NFL analyst Andrew Whitworth thinks people need to calm down a little bit.

"Why is everyone so dramatic?" Whitworth posted on X. "A player demands to be paid X. I don’t feel good about paying X. I say, 'Well I hold your rights.  So if X will only make you happy.  Go out there explore your real options. Come back to me with the number other teams are willing to pay you, while keeping in mind what you mean to me. So my compensation needs to be included. Now, we can have a full transparent conversation about your worth to them, to me, and maybe what it means to just stay.' I mean… Seems transparent and a logical answer to me."

This situation just played out in Los Angeles with the Rams letting Matthew Stafford gauge his value on the quarterback market before he decided to run it back with the Rams.

Quarterbacks aren't the same as edge rushers though, and letting Hendrickson even test the market on his own is a very rare occurrence from a Bengals team that usually ignores trade requests.

Time will tell if they really want to trade him or are just having him see his open market value for better negotiations.

Why is everyone so dramatic ??

A player demands to be paid X. I don’t feel good about paying X. I say well I hold your rights. So if X will only make you happy. Go out there explore your real options. Come back to be with the number other teams are willing to pay you,…

— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) March 6, 2025

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End Sam Hubbard is Retiring

NFL Draft Film Breakdown: Is Armand Membou Ideal Fit in Cincinnati Bengals' Quest to Protect Joe Burrow?

Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Preview: Could the Ageless Wonder Be a Depth Fit, Mentor to Jenkins, Jackson

Stat of the Jay: Who Holds the NFL Record For Most Sacks After Age 30, and Who Holds the Bengals' Mark?

Cincinnati Bengals Tagged Tee Higgins: What's Next for the Star Wide Receiver?

Cincinnati Bengals Make Another Addition to Coaching Staff, Hiring Sean Desai as Senior Defensive Assistant

Trey Hendrickson Shares Update on Contract Talks With Bengals: 'We've Had Multiple Good Conversations'

Insider Expects NFL Teams to Sign Veterans to Contract Extensions Before Free Agency

Look: Chart Shows Cincinnati Bengals Draft Success Since 2021

'Hey Man, Whatever Works For You' - Jake Browning Shares Funny Story About Joe Burrow's Sideline Demeanor

Stat of the Jay: Bengals’ Newly Extended Punter Ryan Rehkow Is NFL Record Holder but Not Team’s First To Do It

Bengals Franchise Tag History: How Many Times Have They Used It? Who Got Extensions, and When? Who Got Traded?

Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Preview: Could There Be a Hidden Gem Among Guards Outside of PFF's Top 100?

Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency: Despite Age, Injury, Will Hernandez Could Be an Inexpensive Guard With a High Ceiling

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok