The Cincinnati Bengals discover themselves locked in a rising standoff with considered one of their defensive cornerstones.
Star move rusher Trey Hendrickson has made his place crystal clear as contract tensions that started final season proceed to simmer beneath the floor.
With only one season remaining on his present deal and a considerable $18.6 million cap hit looming for 2025, each side appear to be digging of their heels.
Hendrickson confirmed up on the Bengals’ facility Tuesday for offseason work however stayed on the sidelines throughout discipline actions.
As a substitute, he used the chance to ship an unmistakable message to the entrance workplace, per Jordan Schultz.
“No.”
That was Hendrickson’s simple response when reporters requested if he would play underneath his present contract phrases.
#Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson: “There’s unprovoked shark assaults and there’s provoked shark assaults.”
Hendrickson added he’s “very upset with the communication” and acknowledged that it “stinks” to find out how a lot different groups worth him in comparison with his personal:
“They watch me… https://t.co/ghawBbYIRS pic.twitter.com/mPje4T48jA
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) Could 13, 2025
The frustration in his voice was evident as he described the breakdown in negotiations as “private,” pointing to a regarding lack of communication from workforce administration.
Whereas not fully shutting the door on reconciliation, Hendrickson made it abundantly clear that the connection has grown more and more strained.
His determination to talk out publicly got here after head coach Zac Taylor knowledgeable him about potential fines for skipping obligatory minicamp.
Hendrickson seen this warning as a sign that “one thing received’t get accomplished in that time-frame.”
Maybe most telling was his revelation that “no communication has taken place between my camp and the group put up draft.” This silence has seemingly introduced progress to an entire halt.
Hendrickson emphasised his want to search out center floor shortly however famous it turns into “exhausting to do when there is no such thing as a dialogue and an evident lack of curiosity in reaching mutual targets.”
The defensive standout has earned a Professional Bowl choice each season since becoming a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The workforce added a one-year extension to his unique four-year, $60 million contract signed in 2021.
Tensions first surfaced final offseason when Hendrickson requested a commerce after failing to safe a brand new long-term settlement.
The put up Trey Hendrickson Sends Warning To Bengals Forward Of Season appeared first on The Chilly Wire.
