Trey Hendrickson may have finally shown up to Cincinnati Bengals training camp, but don’t expect to see him in pads anytime soon. After reportedly skipping the early days of camp in search of a bigger, guaranteed contract, Hendrickson has employed an in-between strategy known in NFL circles as a “hold‑in.” He’s physically present at practice, perhaps sipping water on the sideline and offering moral support, but he’s not actually practicing until he gets the deal he wants.
You can almost imagine the conversation: “Yes, I’m here, see me here, but don’t expect sweat or effort until someone signs off on more guaranteed dough.” It’s a slick move—he avoids $50,000-per-day fines for being absent while still making clear he’s not leaning in until terms change.
Hendrickson, the league’s sack leader last season with 17.5, clearly thinks his contributions demand recognition—and not just in theory. He’s pushing for a long-term contract that reflects that level of elite production, putting him in the financial class of T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, or Myles Garrett.
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and the rest of the Bengals are left balancing optics and defense performance. Burrow voiced support but also sounded like a patient teacher: “We’d like him on the field, sure, but players gotta do what they feel they need to do.” Whether Hendrickson’s tactics pay off remains to be seen.
The Bengals are stuck in a delicate dance—he’s thanked for being there, respected for his record, but not cleared for action until the paperwork catches up. And until then, camp rolls on without one of its most valuable defenders actually defending.
