The Bengals and Hendrickson sat down on deal length and total value, but guaranteed money remains a gulf that could shape Cincinnati’s offseason. Hendrickson is 30 and a proven force, so the team faces a cap-calculus decision: push for lucrative guarantees or safeguard flexibility by accepting a smaller guaranteed portion. The chatter underscores how guarantees, not just total dollars, dictate NFL contracts and the team’s risk profile.

Chase appears as the franchise centerpiece, with his extension framed as a bigger priority than guarantees for Hendrickson. The Patriots reportedly inquired about Hendrickson, a sign that premium edge players move only at premium cost. The conversation also uses Watt as a reference point, illustrating how teams weigh guarantees against perceived value. The episode highlights that the guaranteed money gap could define whether Hendrickson stays in Cincinnati or becomes a trade chip, with broader implications for the Bengals’ defense and fantasy angles around sack distribution.