Hendrickson Appears at Bengals Facility Amid Contract Dispute
One day after making his dissatisfaction with the Cincinnati Bengals public, Trey Hendrickson reported to the team’s facility. Though Hendrickson did not participate in Tuesday’s offseason workouts, his appearance appeared to be part of his ongoing push for a new contract and an effort to clarify his position.
Clear Stance on Contract: “I Would Not Play This Season on My Current Contract”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hendrickson made his position unmistakably clear. According to The Athletic, his only succinct statement during the 25-minute session was that he would not play this season on his current deal. Hendrickson is due to earn $15.8 million in base salary this year, the final year of his current contract.
Hendrickson also disclosed that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor informed him via text, approximately one month before the team’s mandatory minicamp (June 10-12), that he would face fines if he failed to report. Hendrickson interpreted this as a sign that a new deal would not be finalized before that time.
“And that, with the lack of communication post-draft, made it evidently clear for my party. Meaning my wife, my son, my agent, right. Like we’re talking a small group of people, that I had to inform that this might not work out,” Hendrickson continued.
“And that’s unfortunate, I don’t think it was necessary. I think we all should have hoped for the best until proved otherwise, but through that other things have transpired. Like the importance of me being here in OTAs doesn’t seem to be respected, and I think I’ve carried a lot of respect. I don’t mean to insinuate anything about anyone’s character, but that was disappointing.”
Will Hendrickson Attend Minicamp? “I’ve Been Hoping for the Best”
When asked whether he would report for minicamp, Hendrickson refrained from offering a definitive answer, saying he still hoped the Bengals might meet him halfway. “I don’t have predictive analysis, I’ve been hoping for the best through this entire process,” Hendrickson said.
“The only thing that alluded to fines in my book was the text I got yesterday from Zac. That was the first time that I knew fines are there. We clearly saw that on multiple fronts since I’ve been here, so fines are a part of the NFL, right?”
“We’ll take them as they come. I thought this was a little early to talk about fines, personally. With how I’ve conducted myself in protecting the organization, the place that’s provided for my family, and play football in the National Football League.”
Feeling Undervalued: “Telling the Truth Will Set You Free”
Hendrickson expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of respect and appreciation from the organization, fueling his decision to go public and address reporters directly. “I think a lot of players in the past have been silent or didn’t stand on values, where telling the truth will set you free,” Hendrickson said.
“It’s a value my parents raised me with when I was young, as a follower of Christ, the truth is the way. And so to have these tough conversations, and say the truth, right?”
“I’m a Floridian, so there’s unprovoked shark attacks, and there’s provoked shark attacks. And the comments that are being made, whatever happened at the combine, whatever happened at the owner’s meetings, and the text I got yesterday. This is not something where I’m just twiddling my thumbs, thinking: Oh how can I get the next one-up?”
“Most of the teammates will agree, I don’t spare my opinions. I kind of stay out of the media for that reason because I am an emotional player, and after a loss it’s a lot harder to talk than after a win. Especially in the circumstances that we had last season, so I carry it with a tremendous amount of respect. But these things are provoked.”
“I would love to say that to sit quiet is a good strategy, [but] it’s clearly not. Players have done it all over the league, including Ja’Marr [Chase] last year. He did a great job being disciplined through the process, and great, I’m so proud of him and the way he handled adversity. I can’t speak enough volumes, but he deserved a contract last year, he deserves it this year, and he deserves one in five years.”
Contract Structure Stalemate: “We’re Not Seeing Eye-to-Eye”
After paying Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals appear hesitant to reward Hendrickson similarly, despite his performance. Hendrickson, a 2024 NFL sacks leader, feels the organization is pushing a shorter-term deal. A scenario he has faced before.
“It’s one of those things where we’re not seeing eye-to-eye on the structure,” Hendrickson said. “It seems that a shorter deal is something that they’re pushing pretty hard. That puts us in the same place I was in 2022 where I have to renegotiate the next year because the goals are the same. If I’m playing at a better level than I did last year, then next year we’re just kicking the can down the road.”
With 35 sacks over the last two seasons, Hendrickson is positioned to secure a significant contract. The Bengals, meanwhile, need his presence to help stabilize a defense that struggled in 2024 and led to the dismissal of their coordinator.
Fractured Relationship: “It’s Become Personal, Unfortunately”
More than the money, Hendrickson’s frustration seems to stem from what he views as poor communication and disregard from the Bengals’ front office, leading him to question the club’s support.
“That’s a tough question too, because you try not to let the business become personal,” Hendrickson said. “I think over the last week or so it’s become personal, unfortunately. And when there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, whether it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity. And that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction.”
“So the lack of direction, the lack of communication, is leading me to things that are allowing me to think about what’s going to happen, more than how great they have treated me over the last four years. Because let me say, I’ve said it to everyone, my son was born right up the road, my wife worked at the Cincinnati VA, this is my home. And I wrote that yesterday. It’s home.”
“And unfortunately for myself, I have to deal with that kind of dilemma in my own, finding out business and personal. Because on the one hand you see OTAs and you smell grass and it’s football, and man I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it. And on the other hand, there’s a proper time for that, and there’s a lot of things that I have to change before that happens.”
Road Ahead: Contract Resolution or Fence Mending?
As the standoff continues, the situation is becoming increasingly tense. The Bengals not only risk losing Hendrickson but may also have to repair their relationship with him before any extension can be agreed upon. The brewing animosity shows no signs of fading and could escalate further if not addressed promptly.
