When the Bengals finally signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term extensions, it appeared that defensive end Trey Hendrickson would be next to cash in.
Reports indicated that the Bengals had engaged with Hendrickson on contract talks and took the possibility of a trade “off the table.”
Since then, though, negotiations have gained little traction. At league meetings in Florida, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said that she “doesn’t know what will happen” with Hendrickson, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Blackburn then put some of the blame for the lack of progess on Hendrickson.
“I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at,” she said on Tuesday (via Conway). “I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he’s not, you know, that’s what holds it up sometimes. So, you know, it takes him to say yes to something.” Blackburn then added that the Bengals “have all the respect in the world” for Hendrickson, calling him a “great player” and saying that the team is “happy to have him.”
Hendrickson expressed frustration and confusion about Blackburn’s comments during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“The one thing I was hoping was an April Fool’s joke was that article,” said Hendrickson. “That was a little disappointing, because communication has been poor, that’s something that I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly. It has been…a little bit frustrating.”
Hendrickson also took umbrage with Blackburn’s uncertainty about the future and characterization that the ball is in his court.
“To read what I read yesterday was confusing, like it’s my decision,” he said. “I would’ve been willing to sign three years ago, two years ago, and this year. It was communicated to me that we would get something done this year.”
Hendrickson said that he doesn’t want to be the highest-paid player at his position. He was also willing to wait for Chase and Higgins to sign before the Bengals turned their attention to his deal.
“We don’t have any desires of being highest-paid or first in line,” he said.“We try to be as patient as possible.”
Hendrickson didn’t offer any specific terms that he was seeking, but repeated his desire for a long-term deal with significant guarantees.
“I’m not willing to play for incentives that will be out of my control,” he said, suggesting that he would not sign a contract with incentives for team success in the regular season or the playoffs. “I don’t think I want to play for a short-term contract and see where it goes.”
Hendrickson also mentioned the departure of Bengals defensive captain, Sam Hubbard, pointing out the team’s leadership void ahead of OTAs and hinted that he may not attend without a new contract.
Perfect example of why teams shouldn’t hire family members for jobs that should go to qualified people with experience.
Agree 100%. Her speech was insulting.
The way she explained herself and the contract negotiations clearly show her history of being a lawyer. She has worked for the Bengals since 2001 and was the first lady in the NFL to work with contract negotiations. So there’s that.
Nepotism happens everywhere.
It shows she has no business running a football team.
She has no respect for players and no grasp of which ones are important or what makes them so.
I think the Bengals have finally conceded what everyone else knows. Joey Rivers/Phillip Burrow will never win a Lombardi. They spent ridiculous amounts of money on targets, because they are all aware that with out elite weapon’s, Joe isn’t it.
^^^that’s bait^^^
LOL
Trey Henderson is a good player. He’s also 30. Why sign him to a 5 year contract when he’s going to start losing a step. Look at Von Bell, Chidobe Awuzie they left and underperformed for their new team. In Bells case it was very evident last year he had lost more than a step. Trey was good last year, how do we know he will be as good this year, or 3 years down to the road? Two years max is what he should shoot for.
Von Bell left for a third contract. He most certainly did not underperform for New Orleans or Cincinnati.
Two years? C’mon, man. He may be 30, but he just posted back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons, the highest totals of his career. That indicates that he is either peaking, or getting better.
4yr, 120m w/ 90m guaranteed. Basically makes it a 3yr deal with an option year at age 33, when he likely would start declining.
Crycket- No way would I sign him for 4 years. He may have had back to back 17.5 seasons, but I can guarantee he won’t last 4 years. Trade him for 2 second rounders and be done.
Not- Last year when he came BACK to Cincinnati he was not the same player that left. Or do you not remember that he went to Carolina? Lay off the weed you’re memory is failing.
Hendrickson is all but gone.. he does not want to be in Cincy after Katie Blackburn’s comments. He will not sign an extension. They can’t even afford him anyway. What looked like a discount to stay now is a nope you pay me Miles Garrett money..