Trey Hendrickson has been front of mind for some Detroit Lions fans clamoring for a spoil of riches at the pass rush this season. It's been an interesting development seeing him go back and forth with Cincinnati Bengals ownership which clearly doesn't value him to the same tune as that of Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt.
Hendrickson and his dispute with the Bengals has taken a brand new turn, though. He posted to social media on Tuesday morning that he was in Florida, not Ohio or specifically Cincinnati for training camp. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, this is following "broken down talks" between the pass rusher and the Bengals about guaranteed money in a new deal.
Long-term extension talks between the #Bengals and star Trey Hendrickson broke down over guaranteed money before camp… and Hendrickson has now indicated he left the state.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2025
He just posted this on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/Le2aKris0t
Now, this could mean a number of things. Hendrickson might be headed home to train - he is from Orlando, after all. He clearly doesn't want to train with the Bengals right now as they ramp up into training camp. It could also mean a Floridian NFL team might be trying to speak with him about a trade that would land him back in his home state.
That feels less likely - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars haven't popped up as legitimate threats to stealing Hendrickson away from other teams interested in his pass rushing services.
All in all, this just signals that any negotiations that Cincinnati has felt like are going well are clearly...not. The Bengals are completely bungling this situation with their best defender, especially since defense has been one of their biggest weaknesses for the last few seasons.
Nothing screams incompetence to players like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins more than not doing whatever it takes to keep your Pro Bowl defender in the fold.
Hendrickson heads home amidst broken down talks with Bengals
Detroit has yet to signal they're looking to make a big swing trade, although rumors have swirled around the last few months about the future of Jameson Williams with the squad. However, getting back another top tier wide receiver in exchange for a top defender doesn't exactly seem like a lucrative deal for Cincinnati.
Then again, it doesn't seem like the team's front office is using their brains right now.
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Detroit also has a ton of cap space right now, and they have draft capital to spend. But, they're also probably looking to remain flexible given the number of players they soon have to negotiate extensions with, like Williams. Keeping their successful core together seems like a priority for GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell.
The idea of Hendrickson coming over is ming boggling, but unlikely, given how close to the chest the Lions' brass is keeping their cards - and their young players.