Everything was quiet at Cincinnati’s training camp until contract talks got ugly. Now, the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly open to trading star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, and fans are left wondering where things went wrong. The standoff between the team and one of its top defenders has turned into the 2025 offseason’s biggest headache, and nobody seems to know how it will end.
Why Are the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson at an Impasse?
Reports from NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport confirm that both sides have hit a wall in contract negotiations.
With contract talks at an impasse, the #Bengals are listening to trade offers for perennial Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson, per me & @TomPelissero.
It’s unclear if the NFL sack leader will be playing elsewhere in 2025, and a trade will be a real challenge. But time will tell. pic.twitter.com/WaFX601ew2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2025
Meanwhile, Hendrickson has been a hold-in at camp, pushing for better guaranteed money. This back-and-forth has only grown more heated by the numbers that power Hendrickson’s argument. As PFSN’s Terrance Biggs pointed out, Hendrickson racked up 35 sacks over the past two seasons, topping names like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and T.J. Watt.
All of those pass rushers locked in fresh contract extensions loaded with more guaranteed money than what Cincinnati has offered. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the sticking point is simple: “The Bengals have been willing to offer only one year of it while other top pass rushers… have gotten three.”
Naturally, this leaves Hendrickson’s camp feeling shortchanged, especially with his production and value being put under the spotlight. If the Bengals do pull the trigger on a trade, it could leave their defensive line scrambling for answers as they try to fill Hendrickson’s shoes.
What Are Fans Saying About the Bengals’ Hendrickson Standoff?
Fans are not holding back as this contract drama unfolds on social media. One user, @JGoodThreeTwo, called out the franchise directly: “The Bengals are an unserious franchise.”
The Bengals are an unserious franchise
— James Goodman (@JGoodThreeTwo) August 17, 2025
Adding to the outrage, @hudsonm_21 posted, “Holy shit they are so cooked.”
Holy shit they are so cooked https://t.co/TBkOId4uRd
— Hudson (@hudsonm_21) August 17, 2025
Some posts are looking ahead, worrying about the 2025 defense. @justinsiejak cracked, “Bengals getting ready to pull a Jameis Winston. Gonna average 40 but give up 45 lol.”
Bengals getting ready to pull a Jameis Winston.
Gonna average 40 but give up 45 lol. https://t.co/1wXpVHfO9W
— Justin Siejak (@justinsiejak) August 17, 2025
Others like @itsmemaxo are already bracing for disappointment in any potential trade return: “They’ll end up trading him for some meaningless draft pick and the defense will suck again. Come tf on @Bengals.”
They’ll end up trading him for some meaningless draft pick and the defense will suck again. Come tf on @Bengals
— Max |-/ (@itsmemaxo) August 17, 2025
The frustration doesn’t stop there, with @ECloskyWTSP questioning the timing: “The Bengals sat on this impasse all offseason because…?” and @bradon_elkins adding, “@Bengals you never fail to disappoint do you.”
Fans are quick to note that there are other options around the league. According to @elitetakes_, teams like the Packers and Lions have the cap space to get a deal done if Cincinnati moves on from Hendrickson.
The Packers & Lions still have over $30 million in cap space btw https://t.co/jq0L3bGodh
— Nico (@elitetakes_) August 17, 2025
This contract mess has clearly struck a nerve, and for many fans, the Bengals are starting to look like their own worst enemy
