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The Cincinnati Bengals know they are staring down a make-or-break 2025 season. With one of the most explosive passing attacks in football and a generational quarterback in Joe Burrow, the Bengals can’t afford to waste another year on the fringe of contention. Sure, they made headlines by securing their star receivers. However, glaring holes remain on both sides of the ball. One move could be the difference between another playoff miss and a return to AFC supremacy: locking down their most productive defensive player to a long-term extension.
The Bengals did pretty well in the offseason, even though they did little to actually improve their roster. Cincinnati took care of some much-needed business by extending standout wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Now, the Bengals probably should have gotten deals with both receivers done a year ago. Still, it’s better late than never. The extensions should appease quarterback Burrow. He lobbied hard for the Bengals to bring back both of his two favorite targets.
Unfortunately, Cincinnati didn’t extend every key contributor who was due a new deal this offseason. Pass-rusher and reigning NFL sacks leader Trey Hendrickson is entering a contract year. His lack of a new deal has seemingly created a strained relationship.
Yes, making Burrow happy and keeping one of the league’s best passing attacks intact is good for business. That said, Cincinnati’s unwillingness to invest heavily in its defense is problematic. The team’s 25th-ranked defense prevented the Bengals from making the playoffs last season. Their solution was to fire coordinator Lou Anarumo and replace him with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden.
The Bengals did use their top two draft selections on defenders. That said, first-round pick Shemar Stewart is an unpolished boom-or-bust prospect. He may not contribute right away. Adding Lucas Patrick and rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild isn’t enough to give Burrow top-tier protection, too.
Here we’ll try to look at the perfect Cincinnati Bengals move to fill out their roster before the 2025 training camp.
The single best move Cincinnati can make before training camp is simple: sign Hendrickson to an extension. It’s the move that can stabilize the defense and restore organizational momentum.
The urgency here is amplified by the retirement of veteran Sam Hubbard and the ongoing absence of top pick Stewart. He has yet to join the team due to a dispute over training camp bonuses. That leaves the Bengals perilously thin on the edge. Hendrickson knows that, and he also knows his value.
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season. He earned All-Pro honors in the process. He’s at the peak of his powers. As such, this is not a situation that calls for cold math. It calls for decisive action.
Yes, Hendrickson has been vocal about the lack of communication from the front office. That friction has raised questions about whether a deal can even get done. However, recent developments suggest the door is still open.
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