With Trey Hendrickson bolting to Florida, neither of the Bengals’ projected high cross rushers is in Cincinnati for coaching camp. Together with first-round rookie Shemar Stewart, each are going through contract disputes with the crew and proprietor Mike Brown. Whereas Brown has a humorous approach of exhibiting his appreciation at instances, Hendrickson mentioned he respects the person.
Even when he’s not a fan of their contract negotiations. Reportedly, Trey Hendrickson advised Good Morning Soccer’s Manti Te’o that the Bengals’ a number of contract gives featured “atrociously, atrociously low” ensures. These ensures reportedly solely lengthen by the primary yr of the deal, which is atypical for high contracts.
Steelers followers can’t beat their chests too onerous, although, as a result of Pittsburgh was the identical approach. Earlier than T.J. Watt broke down the door, the Steelers by no means supplied assured cash for non-quarterbacks past the primary yr of a brand new contract. In the event that they have been negotiating with Trey Hendrickson, they won’t offer him second-year ensures, both.
Mentioned Hendrickson, by way of Paul Dehner Jr. and Dianna Russini, “I used to be greater than prepared to take much less in some methods as a way to make a deal work to accommodate the offered wants. I verbalized to the Bengals that I wished to be a captain, to steer a younger protection”.
Over the previous two seasons, no person has recorded extra sacks than the Bengals’ Hendrickson. His 17.5 sacks in 2024 led the NFL, and he earned first-team All-Professional honors. However he’s presently taking part in out a one-year, $21 million extension he signed a yr in the past. He is because of earn a complete of $16 million for the 2025 season.
The Bengals have, after all, supplied Hendrickson greater than that, however evidently not market worth. He’ll flip 31 in December, and he typically appears to dwell on the periphery of the dialogue of elites. There’s T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby, after which sort of everybody else.
Together with Trey Hendrickson, even if he has been some of the constant cross rushers of the last decade. Over the previous 5 seasons, he has recorded 70.5 sacks with 137 quarterback hits. He additionally has 65 tackles for loss and 12 compelled fumbles.
The Bengals seem prepared to make Trey Hendrickson a top-five cross rusher. They appear to be unwilling, nevertheless, to pay that and likewise assure to proceed paying that past this season. Groups are naturally skeptical as gamers age, which is comprehensible, given the character of the game.
However the Bengals even have to think about their aspirations, and the truth that they’re in a Tremendous Bowl window. Is paying Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart to get them into camp the perfect technique of competing? How agency a line do you wish to draw within the sand? As a result of proper now, Hendrickson’s drawn his line all the best way on the peninsula. And he doesn’t seem prepared to budge earlier than Mike Brown does.
