Danielle Hunter's extension should confirm one thing in particular for the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson
Another data point in the calculus of a contract extension for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been provided by the Houston Texans. The Texans and defensive end Danielle Hunter agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million extension Wednesday evening, per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. Of the handful of major extensions given out to edge defenders this […]
Another data point in the calculus of a contract extension for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been provided by the Houston Texans.
The Texans and defensive end Danielle Hunter agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million extension Wednesday evening, per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.
Of the handful of major extensions given out to edge defenders this month, Hunter's new deal might be the most useful when it comes to Hendrickson and the Bengals.
Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett each had their moments resetting the market at the position. Hunter didn't do the same because of the main commonality he shares with Hendrickson: Age.
Hunter is just two months older than Hendrickson and has made five Pro Bowls in his nine-year career compared to Hendrickson's four Pro Bowls in eight years. Hendrickson had an NFL-best 17.5 sacks and was an All-Pro in 2024 while Hunter had just 12 and made the Pro Bowl, but Hunter has 99.5 sacks in his career to Hendrickson's 77.
Similar pasts and presents lead to their expected futures grouped together as well.
If Hunter received just a one-year extension, perhaps that is what the Bengals will attempt to make Hendrickson take.
But I don't think that's the case here.
I think Hendrickson wants more than just one more year added to the $16 million he's set to earn this season. Future stability and security are major components to why he's pushing for a new deal. He wants to be sure of where he's set to play for the remaining years of his prime.
He wants a guarantee, coincidentally enough, and Hunter's deal may help him out.
Danielle Hunter's new deal should confirm Trey Hendrickson sees plenty of guaranteed money
The most eye-popping aspect of Hunter's extension is the fact that 98% of the money he can earn through 2026 is guaranteed. $54.1 million out of $55.1 million is locked in for him to earn. For all intents and purposes, it's a fully guaranteed deal that features $32 million for just this season alone.
If the Bengals were hoping Hendrickson would accept minimal guarantees like he's done the last two times he's signed a contract from them, that won't be the case this time.
If it is a multi-year deal both sides are progressing towards, I don't imagine the Bengals will be offering guarantees in every single year, but Hendrickson does deserve guarantees beyond the first year of whatever deal he signs. If it's a two-year deal that keeps him under contract through 2027, then everything up to 2026 should be guaranteed.
This aspect of the negotiation was already set to be compelling. The Bengals just signed Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive deals with future guarantees included in each contract. The Bengals have only ever guaranteed future salaries for Joe Burrow. Chase was presumed to be next, but Higgins joining that group makes things really interesting now.
If Higgins can push for it, Hendrickson can as well despite being four years older. He's got the accolades to prove it.
It's entirely possible that the Bengals and Hendrickson were progressing towards a deal before Hunter's agreement was reported and this may not impact all of that. If that's the case, it will be notable if Hendrickson's deal differs greatly from Hunter's in terms of what matters.
Hendrickson should be pushing for just above $30 million in 2025 cash and guarantees beyond this year. The Bengals may not have a choice in the matter now.
Multiple Bengals players subtly hint at what Cincinnati plans to do next after taking care of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
Optimism appears to be in the locker room.
