Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson Reaches Agreement With Bengals
The Bengals and Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson have reached agreement on a new deal that will end his hold-in, according to multiple reports.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Hendrickson will receive a $14 million raise this season that will boost his 2025 salary to $30 million. With the agreement, Hendrickson is still scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
A disagreement on guaranteed money had reportedly been the stumbling block in negotiations. The 30-year-old Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season (17.5) and has made four consecutive Pro Bowls.
This agreement keeps Hendrickson in Cincinnati for another year and gives the Bengals a season to evaluate rookie pass rusher Shemar Stewart, who was drafted 17th overall.
The Bengals have been plagued by slow starts in recent years, including 2024 when they opened 0-3 and missed the playoffs. Having Hendrickson back in the lineup will give them a better chance to start on the right foot.
He has been attending practices while not participating in on-field drills and will have almost two weeks to prepare for Week 1 when the Bengals visit the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns: Andrew Berry Indicates That Four QBs Will Make 53-Man Roster
The Browns are expected to keep four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, with Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders behind starter Joe Flacco.
"We have a room that we like all the guys in there," Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said on NFL Network, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. "We don't really see that as a problem. We more see it as an opportunity."
As of Monday morning, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had not named the No. 2 quarterback behind Flacco.
Pickett is listed as No. 2 on the unofficial depth chart but has missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. However, Stefanski expects Pickett to be healthy and available Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The battle between No. 3 and No. 4 on the depth chart is between rookie quarterbacks Gabriel and Sanders. Gabriel had a better day (12 of 19, 129 yards, one touchdown) than Sanders (3 for 6, 14 yards) in Cleveland's 19-17 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. But Sanders believed he had done enough to make the 53-man roster.
"I think overall as a player, I've put in the work," Sanders said. "I think about myself in a high regard, of course. It's not my decision."
Pittsburgh Steelers: First-Round Pick Is 'Week-to-Week' After Injury
First-round rookie Derrick Harmon, who is expected to start at defensive tackle, is "week-to-week" after a knee injury in the preseason finale, according to Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Harmon will not require surgery for the injury suffered during a 19-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. However, Tomlin did not rule the possibility that Harmon would start the regular season on injured reserve when Tuesday's 53-man roster is announced.
"We're not ready to talk those things," Tomlin said via Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I see no need to. We're very much still in development. I'll start talking about depth chart issues at the appropriate time on game week."
Should Harmon miss time, rookie Yahya Black and veterans Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale are candidates to be elevated into the starting lineup.
Harmon said he was relieved the injury was not more severe.
"Thought it was serious, but it wasn't that serious," Harmon said. "I need to get rehab going, so that's my main focus. I've got to just attack rehab and do what I've got to do to get back on the field and help this team."
