As of late May 2025, recent viral claims suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially acquired defensive end Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals are unconfirmed and inaccurate. According to multiple credible sources, including ESPN, NFL Network, and team beat reporters, no official trade or signing has taken place between Hendrickson and the Steelers. The widely circulated story stating that Hendrickson opted out of the final year of his contract and signed a four-year, $110 million deal with Pittsburgh is not supported by any factual reporting.
Trey Hendrickson has indeed been at the center of trade rumors during the 2025 NFL offseason. The 29-year-old defensive end has had a productive tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals since signing with the team in 2021. His current contract, which was extended in 2023, brought his total deal to five years and $90 million. Entering the final year of that contract, Hendrickson made headlines when he publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Bengals’ refusal to negotiate a long-term extension. In March 2025, it was reported that the Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, fueling speculation about his future.
Despite the trade request and the internal tension between Hendrickson and the Bengals’ front office, there has been no confirmation that any team, including the Steelers, has finalized a trade for the star pass rusher. ESPN and NFL insiders have noted that while Hendrickson is open to a move, his trade market is complicated by his high salary expectations and the Bengals’ reluctance to part ways with a key defensive player. As of now, Cincinnati still views Hendrickson as a vital part of their defense, and no team has met the reported asking price.
The claim that Hendrickson has signed a four-year, $110 million deal with Pittsburgh is particularly dubious. The Steelers are known for being financially conservative when it comes to player contracts, especially in free agency. A deal of that magnitude would make Hendrickson one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the NFL — a move that would likely require Pittsburgh to release or restructure multiple existing contracts. Such a significant transaction would have been widely reported across major media platforms and confirmed by league insiders, but no such reporting exists.
Moreover, trades between division rivals like the Bengals and Steelers are rare, especially when they involve high-profile players. The AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in football, and both teams are expected to contend for playoff spots in the 2025 season. For the Bengals to trade a star defensive player to a direct competitor would be highly unusual and strategically questionable.
In conclusion, there is no evidence to support the claim that Trey Hendrickson has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers or signed a new contract. As of now, he remains a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Fans are urged to be cautious of misinformation and rely on trusted sports news sources for accurate updates. The situation surrounding Hendrickson remains fluid, but until confirmed by credible outlets, any reports of a finalized deal are purely speculative.