“Communication has been poor”: Frustrated Trey Hendrickson opens up on Bengals contract drama

Trey Hendrickson is entering the final year of the four-year, $60 million contract he signed with Cincinnati in 2021. Given his standout performance over the past three seasons, he had hoped for an extension this offseason but now finds himself in a frustrating waiting game with little to no updates from the Bengals’ front office.

Trey Hendrickson expected a deal but claims Bengals have not engaged with his agent

Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has voiced his frustration with the team over stalled contract extension talks, revealing that communication between the front office and his representatives has been nearly nonexistent. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on April 2, Hendrickson didn't hold back about his disappointment, saying, "Communication has been poor over the last couple of months. That's something I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly. It's been something that's been a little bit frustrating."

The defensive end, who has racked up 39.5 sacks in three seasons with the Bengals, had good reason to believe he would receive a long-term deal, especially considering his impact on Cincinnati’s defense. However, he claims the Bengals have made no effort to negotiate, nor have they even reached out to his agent.




His comments come in response to earlier remarks from Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn. While she didn’t directly dismiss the idea of an extension, her statements suggested the team wasn’t in a rush to make a move. “Those comments from Katie Blackburn were definitely disappointing, and communication has been poor over the last couple of months,” he hoped the article was some kind of April Fool’s joke.

Hendrickson made it clear that he finds this approach frustrating, particularly given how crucial communication is in contract negotiations.

With no clear direction from the Bengals, Hendrickson's future in Cincinnati remains uncertain. The team could still offer him an extension before the season, but if communication remains stagnant, the possibility of him playing out his final year and hitting free agency becomes more likely.

Hendrickson's situation highlights an ongoing challenge for the Bengals—balancing financial priorities while keeping key players happy. If the team wants to avoid losing one of its top defensive playmakers, it may need to rethink its communication strategy before Hendrickson’s frustration turns into a more significant issue for the organization.

Also read - Kylie Kelce opens up about why her daughter had no name for a day before landing on ‘Finnley Anne’



Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.