The Cincinnati Bengals have done it again.
The franchise has a long history of lowballing their players, pretty much forcing their hands to call them out in public and/or request a trade.
They’re walking that dangerous line again, this time with Trey Hendrickson.
According to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN, the star defensive end released a statement.
Hendrickson claims that there has been no communication with the team, adding that their previous offers for a contract extension doesn’t reflect the vision they shared.
“No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. 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,” read the statement.
Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. 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… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025
Hendrickson was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate last season.
He was the lone bright spot in their shaky defense, and he cemented himself as one of the three best pass rushers in the game.
The Bengals allowed him to talk to other teams and seek a trade, but reports stated that their asking price was delusional and they never truly intended to trade him.
That makes sense, given that he’s arguably their second or third-most important player, but they now need to hold their end of the bargain.
The Bengals don’t have the luxury of being a big-market team and make enticing recruiting pitches to free agents.
The biggest asset they have going on for them is that they have an elite quarterback in Joe Burrow.
But after watching the way this front office deals with their players over and over, it’s hard to make a case for why any big-name free agent should even consider signing with them.
NEXT: Bengals Veteran DT Spotted In Walking Boot During Workouts
