Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson sent a blunt warning to the team, saying he is unhappy with how the team has handled his contract talks so far.
Hendrickson appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday to discuss his contract situation, and sent a clear message to the Bengals. He addressed comments from Bengals vice president Katie Blackburn, who said Hendrickson should “be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at.”
“That was a little disappointing, because communication has been poor over the last couple of months,” Hendrickson said. “That’s something that I hold in high regard. They have not communicated with my agent directly. It’s been something that’s been a little bit frustrating, but again, this is the business of it.
“They are more than welcome to call me. I’ve had the same cell phone number since high school. Open line of communication is always open with me and my agent, so if they have anything they’d like to discuss, we’ve been nothing but willing to listen.”
"Those comments from Katie Blackburn were definitely disappointing & communication has been poor over the last couple of months..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 2, 2025
It's been a little bit frustrating & if they have anything they'd like to discuss we're definitely willing to listen" ~ Trey Hendrickson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/C9PUdfKewj
Clearly, Hendrickson is experiencing some frustration with the Bengals. He expects to be paid this offseason, indicated that the Bengals told him they would take care of him, and feels that they are not holding up their end of the bargain.
The Bengals are reportedly focused on getting a deal done with Hendrickson instead of trading him. Hendrickson’s comments, however, call into question how serious they are about that.
Hendrickson has tallied 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons and is entering the final year of his contract. He has asked for a trade or a raise, and so far the Bengals have yet to give him either one. It certainly appears that something will have to give before the start of the season.
