Trey Hendrickson’s Contract Discontent
Ja’Marr Chase got his money. Tee Higgins has also secured a hefty deal. Now, Trey Hendrickson is looking for something similar, and he’s not hesitating to signal that he’s serious.
When asked on Tuesday if he plans to play under his current contract this season, the Bengals’ standout defensive end replied with a straightforward “no.”
During voluntary training, Hendrickson showed up in business casual attire and shared with reporters that the situation has become “personal,” yet he believes it can still be resolved. “You try not to mix business with personal matters,” he explained. “But I think recent events have made it personal. A lack of communication often leads to tension—my narrative is heading in a clear direction.”
Hendrickson remarked that Bengals head coach Zach Taylor could face a fine starting June 10 if he misses a mandatory minicamp, adding that he wants to address the issue at hand.
Despite recording an impressive 17.5 sacks last season, which ranked him at the top of the league, Hendrickson still finds himself on a one-year contract and claims that the team has ceased discussions about a new deal.
Hendrickson characterized the Bengals’ lack of communication as “provoked.” He stated to ESPN, “There’s no dialogue happening between my camp and the team since the draft.” His main concern is that the pre-draft conversations didn’t align with what he expected moving forward. “If I continue to excel, there was an understanding that we’d have a solid offseason. The coaches are aware of our previous discussions, but instead of collaborating, communication has just stalled.”
It seems that tensions are reaching a breaking point, with Hendrickson openly expressing frustration towards the team. He has made it clear that he’s seeking a more respectful deal following his successful performance last season.
While the Bengals did allow him to explore trade options this offseason, nothing materialized. With $15.8 million left on his current contract, Hendrickson has noticed lucrative deals like those given to Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett this offseason.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have retained his teammate Higgins, who is now in pursuit of becoming the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.
Bengals executive Katie Blackburn, on the other hand, appears to have a different view of Hendrickson’s situation. “I think he should come to terms with his current situation. Maybe he thinks he’s satisfied,” she commented on ESPN in early April. “Ultimately, it’s up to him to decide when he’s happy. If he isn’t, that can be a sticking point, and it’s his call to say yes to something.”
The clock is ticking for both sides to reach an agreement, but it seems that Hendrickson is drawing a line in the sand, possibly pushing for a significant change.
