"This could get ugly" - NFL fans react as Trey Hendrickson skips Bengals' mandatory minicamp amid contract standoff

On Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the news that Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson was not in attendance for the Bengals' mandatory minicamp. Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract and is looking for a major new deal from the Bengals this offseason.

"Sources: NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, who has not received the new contract he has been looking for, is not attending the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp." Schefter wrote in a social media post to X.

NFL fans highlighted that this was not a good sign for Hendrickson's chances of returning to Cincinnati next season.

The Gabaghoul 👻

@GabaghoulMedia

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This could get ugly..

Michael Rodnick

@MJRodnick

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It makes you wonder how long this will go and what the end result will be.

SportswithSeb🏀🏈

@Sportswithseb

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Bengals are trolling, how are you not paying this man 😭

Meanwhile, other NFL fans believe the Bengals are making a mistake in not re-signing Hendrickson to a long-term extension.

"Bengals are literally going to try to win every game 63-60 this year." one fan wrote.

"The Bengals are seriously tanking their own stock by not focusing on defense." one fan wrote.

"Who exactly is going to play defense in Cincy?." one fan wrote.

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Do the Cincinnati Bengals need Trey Hendrickson?

Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals desperately need Trey Hendrickson. He is one of the best defensive players in the entire league, having 17.5 sacks in each of his last two seasons. The Bengals' defensive unit drastically struggled in 2024, even with Hendrickson. The unit averaged 25.5 points against per game last year, a value that was tied for 25th best in the NFL.

Although their points against per game stat was one of the worst in the league, it would have been much worse without Hendrickson on the defensive side of the ball. With the Bengals looking to return to the playoffs next season and make a deep postseason run, it is hard to imagine this being a legitimate possibility without Hendrickson on the defense.

According to 'Spotrac', Hendrickson's current market value is a two-year deal worth $62,931,710 ($31.5 million per season). Should he receive that deal, Hendrickson would be in the category with Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett, Las Vegas Raiders Maxx Crosby, San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa, and Houston Texans Danielle Hunter.

Hendrickson will likely receive a major contract extension this offseason; the main question is, will it be the Bengals or another NFL franchise offering the deal.