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The Cincinnati Bengals have a reputation as a team that nails down some really solid contracts with their players and outside free agents, a rep that indeed helped them push for a Super Bowl earlier than anticipated in a rebuild cycle.
It’s also not much of a secret that defensive end Trey Hendrickson has massively outplayed the big-money deal the team gave him in free agency.
So much so, while ranking the top 32 contracts in the NFL in terms of value, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger ranks Hendrickson’s deal seventh overall:
“Hendrickson is on a remarkable run over the past two seasons, first in his contract year with the New Orleans Saints and last season in leading the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense to a Super Bowl appearance. Hendrickson’s 124 total quarterback pressures over that span rank seventh, his 27.5 sacks rank third and his 16.3% pressure percentage ranks second. He has evolved into one of the NFL’s most consistently elite pass rushers, breaking the Bengals single-season sack record in his first year with the team and recording at least a half-sack in 11 straight contests.”
After landing the four-year pact worth $60 million, Hendrickson silenced any critics who suggested he was a one-hit-wonder in New Orleans by tallying 14 sacks and 45 pressures, functioning as the only consistent season-long pass-rush for the defense.
This is just how the Bengals do business, too. Given the structure, it effectively functioned as a one-year, prove-it deal with an out built in after the first year and the cap numbers for what he’ll make through 2024 aren’t out of line for his production.
Over the next few years, the Bengals will have to work similar magic with the likes of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and others, though this accomplishment is a good sign.
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