The Cincinnati Bengals have already poured a large percentage of their future salary cap on three of their best offensive players. Quarterback Joe Burrow is making an average of $55 million per season, making him one of the highest paid players in the NFL.
Earlier this offseason, the Bengals made waves in the NFL by making two of their wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the highest paid pass catching duo in the league. Chase signed a monster contract that will pay him over $40 million per season, making him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Higgins signed a big contract of his own that will pay him more than $28 million a year
With their offensive stars locked up for the foreseeable future, Cincinnati hopes to also come to an agreement with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who had 17.5 sacks in 2024 and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Unfortunately, recent comments by one of their executives may prohibit that from happening.
Cincinnati Bengals Executive Katie Blackburn Called Trey Hendrickson Greedy
Cincinnati Bengals, Trey Hendrickson
Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) while throwing the ball during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Hendrickson is currently slated to play the 2025 season on a one-year $21 million contract, but is certainly worth more based on his production and the salaries of other top-tier pass rushers. Contract extension negotiations, though, do not seem to be going well.
Per Kelsey Conway of cincinnati.com, Bengals executive Katie Blackburn said of Hendrickson, “I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn’t think he’d be happy at. 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, and also, we have all the respect in the world for him. He’s been a great player. We’re happy to have him. And so maybe we’ll find a way to get something to work. We’re just gonna see where it goes.”
There are a great deal of strategies that work when negotiating contracts. Publicly insinuating the player is greedy is not one that works.
Fans Go Off on Cincinnati Bengals Executive for Trey Hendrickson Comments
Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Bengals trey Hendrickson, Trey Hendrickson trade, Trey Hendrickson retirement, Cincinnati Bengals trade rumors, Trey Hendrickson Bengals
Jan 7, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Jeff Driskel (not pictured) in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Needless to say, fans around the NFL had some strong thoughts on Blackburn’s comments, and did not them back on social media:
This statement is insane to say publically about a star player on your roster. I assumed it was Jerry Jones how bad it sounds. https://t.co/kdtbIPrGDC
— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) April 2, 2025
I fear Mrs. Blackburn may not have a job much longer because this is insane https://t.co/16ww0x4TT7
— Michael Allen 🧀 (@MichaelAllenNFL) April 2, 2025
This verbiage is absolutely abysmal man…
Full on hand in face bad… https://t.co/EDnzu6Hsyj
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) April 2, 2025
Why would she say this lol https://t.co/5uyIUgoq78
— Albaro (@martinez3594) April 2, 2025
How to insult your own guy into leaving. https://t.co/BnJ9SVb1uN
— joshkirkendall.bsky.social (@Josh_Kirkendall) April 2, 2025
It will certainly be interesting to see how this whole situation plays out now. One would have to imagine that Hendrickson is not going to take a dime less than he feels he is worth after those comments.
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