{"id":58799,"date":"2025-05-18T01:41:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T01:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/58799\/"},"modified":"2025-05-18T01:41:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T01:41:18","slug":"cincinnati-bengals-dragged-by-nfl-stars-over-trey-hendrickson-contract-dispute-nfl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/58799\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Bengals dragged by NFL stars over Trey Hendrickson contract dispute | NFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CincinnatiBengals face backlash as NFL stars defend Trey Hendrickson amid contract standoff (Image via: Getty Images) In a league where pass rushers win games and anchor defenses, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing a dangerous game with Trey Hendrickson and the NFL is watching. The Pro Bowl edge rusher, fresh off a league-leading sack season in 2024, finds himself in a bitter contract standoff with a front office that seems more tone-deaf than tactical. And now, some of the league\u2019s biggest names are calling the Bengals out.<\/p>\n

Trey Hendrickson contract dispute turns public<\/p>\n

Hendrickson has made it clear on no new deal and no playing time. The Bengals\u2019 defensive cornerstone has aired his frustrations openly this offseason, citing broken promises, poor communication, and even a threat from head coach Zac Taylor to fine him if he misses mandatory minicamp. This wasn’t a heated moment before camp either, it happened a full 30 days out.Hendrickson, 29, is not asking for charity. He\u2019s asking to be compensated like the elite pass rusher he is. Since 2023, no player in the NFL has recorded more sacks, not T.J. Watt, not Myles Garrett, not Micah Parsons. Yet, the Bengals continue to delay any real progress on a new contract, risking not only a holdout but a potential trade demand.<\/p>\n

NFL veterans defend Hendrickson and slam Bengals\u2019 approach<\/p>\n

Current and former stars have wasted no time in voicing support. J.J. Watt summed up the sentiment: \u201cTeams want to treat it like a business, but don\u2019t like it when players do the same.\u201d New Orleans Saints veteran Cam Jordan was even more direct, saying the Bengals should\u2019ve handled this \u201clast year\u201d after a DPOY-worthy season from Hendrickson.Baltimore\u2019s Kyle Van Noy added fuel, saying, \u201cNumbers are Numbers!! Trey deserves his cash money and will continue to ball, except for 2 games this season!\u201d (a nod to his own rivalry with Cincinnati). The NFL fraternity sees it for what it is a disrespectful approach to one of the game\u2019s top producers.<\/p>\n

Bengals\u2019 mishandling of Trey Hendrickson could cost them big<\/p>\n

While the Bengals chose to hand Tee Higgins a franchise tag, despite his injury history and WR2 status, they\u2019ve dragged their feet on Hendrickson, arguably their most important defensive player. It\u2019s a move that raises serious questions about the franchise\u2019s priorities and long-term planning.Also Read: Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, and the 2025 NFL schedule: Is Pittsburgh really the next stop for Rodgers?<\/a>The Bengals missed the playoffs in 2024 largely due to defensive breakdowns. Letting Hendrickson sit or worse, walk only deepens that wound. For a franchise that once looked like a rising AFC powerhouse, this kind of misstep could send them spiraling.
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