Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t been on speaking terms for most of the offseason. Now, for the first time in a long time, that ice is beginning to thaw.
Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed contract talks, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The two sides appeared to be headed for a split for most of the offseason, especially as both parties turned up the heat on contract talks. Now there is a glimmer of hope for Hendrickson’s chances of remaining in the jungle after the Bengals’ star told ESPN in May there was no communication from the team after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati drafted Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick but hasn’t been able to sign the rookie to his contract yet either.
As far as contract disputes go, Hendrickson’s has been one of the uglier ones in recent memory. The All-Pro has been in search of a new contract for the past few seasons but has yet to receive one. That led to the Bengals granting Hendrickson the ability to seek a trade earlier this offseason, which also hasn’t come to fruition. The parties eventually took their fight to the media – turning the situation into a public dispute.
The NFL’s sack leader with 17.5 in 2024, Hendrickson has said he won’t play this season without a new deal. In May, the pass-rusher shared his side of the story with the media, including whether he wanted to remain with the Bengals.
‘That’s a tough question too,’ Hendrickson said via WPCO 9’s Marshall Kramsky. ‘You try to not let the business become personal, I think over the last week or so it’s become personal unfortunately. When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, if it’s business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity. That leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction.’
At the time, Hendrickson said the situation became personal. That came on the heels of an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ in April, following some explosive comments from Bengals Vice President Katie Blackburn.
‘I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at,’ Blackburn said via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. ‘I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he’s not, you know, that’s what holds it up sometimes. So, you know, it takes him to say yes to something, and also, we have all the respect in the world for him. He’s been a great player. We’re happy to have him. And so maybe we’ll find a way to get something to work. We’re just gonna see where it goes.’
Hendrickson skipped mandatory minicamp last week, resulting in fines totaling $104,768.
The Bengals have dished out some big contracts this offseason, awarding Ja’Marr Chase with a four-year, $161 million extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Tee Higgins was also given an extension, ensuring the offense would remain intact.
With training camp fast approaching, time is running out for Cincinnati to avoid further fracturing their relationship with Hendrickson.
Time may heal all wounds, but a new contract probably wouldn’t hurt either. Luckily for both sides, those discussions could result in both.
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