Trey Hendrickson displays up at Bengals’ apply annoyed over contract

CINCINNATI — A textual content from head trainer Zac Taylor led Bengals All-Pro defensive finish Trey Hendrickson to go to Cincinnati, attend Tuesday’s not obligatory staff apply as a spectator and contact newshounds.

Hendrickson, coming into the overall yr of his contract, has been looking for a brand new deal and likewise asked a business. The Bengals’ entrance workplace hasn’t matched what he’s in search of. 

On Monday, Taylor texted Hendrickson that he’d be fined if he didn’t report back to obligatory minicamp subsequent month.

That message annoyed Hendrickson, who held court docket with native newshounds for 20 mins all the way through Tuesday’s apply.

“A little bit transpired between me and Zac,” Hendrickson mentioned. “We’ve attempted to stay it the least quantity non-public as imaginable, however in the future on this procedure it’s turns into non-public. Being despatched 30 days prior to obligatory camp or what number of ever days it’s that if I don’t display up I will be able to be fined alludes to the truth that one thing received’t get completed in that period of time. 

“The lack of communication post draft made it imminently clear to my party — meaning my wife, my son and my agent, a small group of people — that this might not work out.”

Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks ultimate season and was once decided on as an All-Pro. He mentioned that because the defensive finish marketplace escalates, he’s in search of a brand new contract that fits what most sensible cross rushers are getting paid.

Hendrickson is scheduled to earn $15.8 million in base wage and has a cap collection of $18.7 million.

The Bengals haven’t budged from their stance, and the 2 facets haven’t been ready to discover a heart floor. That’s resulted in frustration coming from Hendrickson, who launched a commentary to ESPN on Monday in regards to the loss of conversation because the NFL draft concluded on April 26.

“I think over the last week or so, it’s become personal unfortunately,” Hendrickson mentioned. “When there’s a loss of conversation in any dating, the place it’s a trade or non-public dating, loss of conversation results in animosity, and that leaves my narrative simplest to me without a transparent path.”

“So, the loss of path, the loss of conversation is main me to objects which can be permitting me to take into consideration what’s going to occur greater than how nice they’ve handled me over the past 4 years.”

Taylor and the Bengals’ entrance workplace and possession weren’t made to be had for touch upon Tuesday.

Bengals govt vp Katie Blackburn mentioned all the way through the league conferences in past due March the ball was once in Hendrickson’s court docket to comply with a deal.

“I believe a few of it’s on him to feel free in the future, and if he’s now not, that’s what holds it up every so often,” she said. “It takes him to say yes to something. We have all the respect in the world for him. He’s been a great player. We’re happy to have him.”

Hendrickson mentioned that he wouldn’t be keen to play in 2025 and not using a new contract. He’s unsure about what his long term with the Bengals will seem like.

“I can’t control the narratives,” Hendrickson mentioned. “That is one thing I found through this whole process. The way I feel is not being conveyed. I definitely am disappointed, I love Cincinnati. It’s this weird dilemma. Players go through it a lot more often. I am just not going to let fear overtake me to do something and also give me a platform to glorify God in the good and in the bad. I am very blessed. The perspectives I can’t control. I’m a football player. I’m itching to play football.”

While each side seem to be deadlocked, Hendrickson did say he thinks the present dating with the Bengals will also be repaired over the years with a brand new deal. Hendrickson cited Myles Garrett’s calls for to be traded out of Cleveland previous this yr prior to he agreed to a extension value $160 million, together with $123.5 million assured.

“He’s done great things for his family and obviously providing on and off the football field. He’s tremendous. But I think that relationship will repair with time. And same with this,” Hendrickson mentioned. 

“This is just the uncomfortable business side that we’ve unfortunately had to deal with for the last couple years, and, quite frankly, I think we’re all spent.”