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We haven't heard much about the contract situation between star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals since the 2025 NFL draft.
But that ended on Monday, when Hendrickson made very candid comments to ESPN that shed some light on what's going on — and it isn't good.
Hendrickson revealed that his camp and the Bengals have not talked since the draft, and he blames Cincinnati for "no longer communicating."
Hendrickson also said that the offers the Bengals have given him did not reflect what the team had promised him if he were to continue playing at a high level, which he certainly did in 2024 after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks.
"No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft," Hendrickson said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
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It truly is unfathomable how badly the Bengals are bungling this situation.
Cincinnati had no issue backing up the brinks truck for a No. 2 wide receiver in Tee Higgins, yet for some reason they are trying to skimp out on an elite edge rusher who is far more important to the team, especially when you consider Cincinnati's defense wrecked last season and has the opportunity to wreck 2025, also.
At this point, the Bengals and Hendrickson look headed for a divorce. It doesn't look like he's going to budge, and the Bengals don't appear set to do that, either.
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