Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals are now exactly where they shouldn't be at the onset of training camp
Trey Hendrickson remains dug in, and so are the Cincinnati Bengals.After both sides engaged in contract talks in the days leading up to Tuesday, the Bengals and Hendrickson could not reach a contract extension before veterans are to report to training camp. Hendrickson told ESPN that he will not report and revealed via his Instagram […]
Trey Hendrickson remains dug in, and so are the Cincinnati Bengals.
After both sides engaged in contract talks in the days leading up to Tuesday, the Bengals and Hendrickson could not reach a contract extension before veterans are to report to training camp. Hendrickson told ESPN that he will not report and revealed via his Instagram he's back in his home state of Florida.
Drama has followed these negotiations for several months. Hendrickson first announced in February he wants an extension or to be traded. He then officially requested a trade in March and had that request granted, but no trade materialized. He's lamented the communication from Cincinnati’s front office on multiple occasions, and boldly stated he will not play under his current one-year. $21 million deal that will actually pay him $16 million this season.
Failing to report to camp is the next step in him keeping that promise. Hendrickson is under contract, which means he's subjected to fines for missing practices. He's costing himself money in effort to make a lot more, which is what he'd be doing by missing regular season games as well.
Talks picked back up following mandatory minicamp, which Hendrickson also skipped, indicating that the start of camp would be a logical soft deadline for the Bengals to sign Hendrickson. Bengals owner and president Mike Brown appeared optimistic regarding progress toward a deal Monday during the club's pre-camp media luncheon.
Not even 24 hours later, both sides are states apart because of one key aspect.
Guaranteed money still an obstacle Bengals can't overcome with Trey Hendrickson
Those talks broke down, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, because Cincinnati's offer didn't include guaranteed money beyond the first year.
Hendrickson has been after a multi-year extension with guarantees beyond the first year of the new deal. The Bengals were initially sticking with one-year offers before offering a new multi-year deal in recent days. This report indicates that offer still didn't include guaranteed money aside from the signing bonus.
The first deal Hendrickson signed with the Bengals was a four-year, $60 million deal. The only guaranteed money was a $20 million signing bonus. Hendrickson out-played that contract with four Pro Bowls and an All-Pro honor and now wants a deal reminiscent of the top pass-rushers in the game ala Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt.
Cincinnati, apparently, isn't ready to guarantee him that cash, and both sides remain at odds because of that unfortunate reality.
Bengals continuing to play hard ball is working against them
The Bengals made a choice this offseason to keep Hendrickson around. There were chances to trade him prior to free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft. In keeping him on the roster, they made the decision to continue negotiating an extension, and that extension needs to look a certain way in order for Hendrickson to sign it.
This has been known for nearly the entire calendar year, but the Bengals still won't cave to their best defensive player.
If Cincinnati isn't willing to structure Hendrickson's contract the way he needs it, then there's no reason why he should still be on the team. The answer was to trade him months ago when the compensation could've helped the team for the upcoming season. A trade now would really only benefit them for future seasons.
The decision to keep Hendrickson should've been confirmed a deal will not just get done, but be done in time before the whole situation devolves into a larger distraction. Failing to reach an agreement in time for camp ruins that plan. One of the team's best players being staying away from team during the important ramp up to the regular season is set to be one of the biggest storylines in the league.
This is exactly where the Bengals should not want to be, yet they found themselves here so easily.
Past deals have come together for Cincinnati between the end of training camp and the start of the season. The clock will be reset with Week 1 as the new deadline.
But it should have never gotten to this point, and everyone outside of Paycor Stadium can see that.
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Stewart remains unsigned, and a former league executive sides with Cincinnati.
