The Cincinnati Bengals entered the offseason with three main priorities: extend wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and resolve the contract situation with defensive end and 2024 sack leader Trey Hendrickson. While Chase and Higgins are now locked up, the team is still at odds with Hendrickson, as well as first-round pick Shemar Stewart, whose contract dispute emerged after the NFL draft. Hendrickson, who is set to earn roughly $16 million in the final year of his deal in 2025, has yet to report to training camp.
Joe Burrow Sends Urgent Message to Bengals About Trey Hendrickson Dispute originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the offseason with three main priorities: extend wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and resolve the contract situation with defensive end and 2024 sack leader Trey Hendrickson.
While Chase and Higgins are now locked up, the team is still at odds with Hendrickson, as well as first-round pick Shemar Stewart, whose contract dispute emerged after the NFL draft.
Hendrickson, who is set to earn roughly $16 million in the final year of his deal in 2025, has yet to report to training camp. Instead, he remains in Florida, stating the Bengals’ most recent contract offer was “atrociously low.”
Now, following the team’s first practice on Wednesday, Joe Burrow has entered the conversation—directing a pointed and urgent message at the Bengals’ front office.
"We're in constant contact," Burrow said. "The earlier we can get this done, the better. Disappointed it's not done and he's not here."
Joe Burrow on Trey Hendrickson:
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 23, 2025
We're in constant contact. The earlier we can get this done, the better. Disappointed it's not done and he's not here.
Joe Burrow’s opinion carries serious weight within the Bengals organization. While the front office doesn’t always act on his input, they clearly listened when he emphasized the importance of locking up both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, moves that ultimately got done.
What makes the Trey Hendrickson situation more concerning is the broader context. Cincinnati fielded one of the NFL’s worst defenses last season, losing several games due to late-game breakdowns. Hendrickson was the lone bright spot, finishing with a league-leading 17.5 sacks.
© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Now, with Al Golden stepping in as the new defensive coordinator, it’s undoubtedly frustrating for the Bengals to be without two of their most critical defensive players at the start of training camp.
Related: Bengals Announce Surprising Preseason Plans for Joe Burrow
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
