At the beginning of the offseason, the edge rusher market was expected to heat up due to a number of star players nearing the ends of their contracts. With big names involved, developments have been dramatic and headline-grabbing.
Bengals & Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati is in a standoff with standout pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. After failing to engage in extension talks post-draft, Hendrickson threatened to extend his holdout into the regular season. Despite granting his camp permission to seek a trade, the Bengals rejected all offers, reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick—an ask seen as too high given the necessary contract extension any acquiring team would face.
Hendrickson, 30, wants a multi-year deal surpassing his current $21M/year structure, but the Bengals are only offering a short-term extension. His situation is further complicated by Cincinnati’s strict contract policies, such as refusing to guarantee salaries beyond the first year. The Bengals believe he’ll return rather than miss game checks, but they’re under pressure as their defense declined last season without strong performances up front.
Lions & Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions are expected to soon begin formal talks with Aidan Hutchinson, who is fully recovered from a leg injury. Hutchinson is poised to become the highest-paid edge rusher, potentially surpassing Myles Garrett’s $40M/year deal. Detroit, which recently made Penei Sewell the top-paid right tackle, could act quickly to secure Hutchinson at a discount before other stars like T.J. Watt or Micah Parsons reset the market. Though Hutchinson is under team control through 2026, waiting could prove costly if his value rises.
Cowboys & Micah Parsons
Dallas has taken its time with Micah Parsons’ extension, similar to how they handled Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Despite being eligible for a new deal since January, the Cowboys have yet to engage deeply. Parsons, a three-time All-Pro, expects to be the league’s top-paid defender and has hinted at a $50M/year target. He’s expressed frustration with the team’s delays, saying the price will only go up the longer they wait. While Parsons has participated in offseason activities, a “hold-in” during training camp remains likely unless a deal is finalized.
Bengals & Shemar Stewart
First-round rookie Shemar Stewart remains unsigned due to contract language issues. The Bengals want to include a clause that would void future guarantees if Stewart defaults in any season. Stewart’s agent opposes this, pointing to more favorable terms given to recent Cincy first-round picks. This dispute led Stewart to leave minicamp early, and alongside the Hendrickson situation, it’s raised further questions about the Bengals’ willingness to meet players halfway even over minor issues.
Steelers & T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt’s negotiations with Pittsburgh are also unresolved. Watt skipped minicamp this year, signaling a more aggressive stance than in 2021 when he conducted a “hold-in.” Now 30, Watt is seeking to top Garrett’s deal and match the $80M in guarantees he received previously. Pittsburgh, which rarely guarantees non-QB salaries beyond year one, broke that precedent for Watt in 2021 but hasn’t matched that level of security this time.
With the team loading up on veterans like Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, and D.K. Metcalf, trading Watt seems highly unlikely. However, if no deal is done by Week 1, the Steelers’ longstanding policy of not negotiating in-season means a franchise tag in 2026 could become necessary. A training camp resolution is expected, though key differences remain on guarantees and contract length.
In summary, the edge rusher market remains volatile with Hendrickson, Hutchinson, Parsons, Stewart, and Watt all in varying stages of negotiations or disputes. Their resolutions could significantly impact team dynamics and the market for top defensive players.
