Trey Hendrickson Speaks Out About Contract Talks With Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals’ roster management has been a balancing act this offseason.

With wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins now secured with fresh contracts, attention has shifted to another key piece of their puzzle.

Behind closed doors, frustration has been brewing with one of their defensive cornerstones, and those tensions have spilled into public view.

Following comments from the front office, All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson recently addressed his contract talks.

“Through this process, communication, when I say it’s been poor, it’s been like here and there. … We don’t have any desires of being the highest paid or first in line. We’ve tried to be as patient as possible,” Hendrickson said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“When I say that communication has been poor I mean that it’s been here and there..

We don’t have any desire to be the highest paid and we’ve tried to be as patient as possible”

Trey Hendrickson #PMSLive https://t.co/SMzJL6gWFD pic.twitter.com/p53eUYt7TJ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 2, 2025

Set to earn $15.8 million in the final year of his current contract, Hendrickson’s frustration stems from unfulfilled promises.

For several seasons, he reportedly has received assurances that the organization would address his concerns, particularly regarding long-term security.

Yet those commitments remain unrealized.

Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn recently weighed in on the situation, framing it differently.

She maintained that the organization has extended a fair and competitive offer to Hendrickson, one that she believes should meet his needs, even if it doesn’t completely satisfy all his demands.

From the front office perspective, the holdup lies with Hendrickson’s reluctance to accept their terms, despite their high regard for his contributions.

As both sides dig in, Bengals fans are left wondering if this standoff will affect the team next season or if a compromise will eventually bridge the divide.

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