NFL Star Trey Hendrickson Calls Out Bengals for 'Poor' Communication in Contract Talks

Trey Hendrickson, the standout defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals, is not holding back when it comes to airing his frustrations with the team. With only one year left on his contract, Hendrickson recently requested permission to seek a trade but still expressed a desire to stay in Cincinnati. "However it shakes out, there's nowhere I'd rather be," he said in March, making it clear he isn't itching to pack up and leave.

But here's where things get messy: Bengals director of personnel Duke Tobin suggested during the NFL Scouting Combine that progress was being made on a new contract for Hendrickson. Enter Katie Blackburn, the team’s executive vice president, who threw cold water on those claims with comments that left Hendrickson scratching his head. The player went on "The Pat McAfee Show" and called out the organization for what he described as "poor communication" over the last few months.

"They have not communicated with my agent directly," Hendrickson said, clearly irked. "It's been something that's been a little bit frustrating." He also noted that discussions with the team have been sporadic at best, saying talks have been "here and there." Given his consistent performance over the last two seasons—17½ sacks each year—it's easy to see why Hendrickson feels he deserves clarity and respect in these negotiations.

To add some spice to the drama, Hendrickson’s base salary of just over $15 million for next season looks like peanuts compared to what his peers are raking in. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns recently inked a deal worth $40 million annually, while Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders secured a $35.5 million per season extension. Looks like Hendrickson’s frustration isn’t just about communication—it’s also about compensation.

Blackburn didn’t exactly help her case with comments that sounded like an attempt to shift blame onto Hendrickson himself. "I think some of it is on him to be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at," Blackburn said. Ouch. She followed up with a bit of sugarcoating, calling him a "great player" and expressing hope that they could find a way to make things work.

For his part, Hendrickson emphasized that he’s keeping the lines of communication open. "They're more than welcome to call me," he said, adding that he’s had the same cellphone number since high school. He also stated he’s looking for a long-term deal, not a short-term fix, explaining, "I would like to tell my wife, 'Here's where we're going to live. Here's where we're going to build a family together.'" Clearly, Hendrickson is thinking beyond the football field.

While Hendrickson insists he’s not aiming to be the highest-paid player in the league, he made it clear that he’s unwilling to settle for incentives that are out of his control or a short-term agreement. It’s a reasonable ask from someone who’s been a key piece of Cincinnati’s defense.

What’s next for Hendrickson and the Bengals? That’s anyone’s guess, but one thing is clear: this negotiation saga is far from over.