“I think many players in the past have not accepted or resistant to values, saying the truth will save you,” said Hendrickson. “It is the value that my parents aroused me with when I was young, as a follower of Christ, the truth is the way, and then having these difficult conversations and telling the truth, right?
“I am Floridian, so there are unsubstantiated shark attacks, and there are challenged shark attacks. And the comments made, whatever happened on combine, whatever happened at the owner’s meetings, and the text I got yesterday, this is not something where I just think? Most teammates will agree, I do not protect my views, I am like that out of the media because of that because I am an emotional player and after losses it is much more difficult to speak than after victory, especially in the circumstances we had last season, so I have a huge respect.
“I would love to say that sitting calm is a good strategy; it’s clearly not. Players have done it all over the league, including Ja’marr (Chase) last year.
Chase got his contract after spending a lot of time in the spotlight, but it could have had Domino-like effects. After paying Chase and fellow Broad receiver Tee Higgins, Bengals do not appear to be as willing to do the same for NFL Sacks 2024 leader, Hendrickson, an extra acquisition that has submitted the investment (and later extension) Cincinnati made in him in 2021.
“It’s one of those things where we’re not seeing eye-to-eye on the structure,” said Hendrickson. “It seems that a shorter deal is something they push pretty hard. It puts us in the same place as I was in 2022 where I have to resume next year because the goals are the same. If I’m playing at a better level than I did last year, then next year we’re just kicking the can.”
Players have a very final window time to pay their performance. With 35 sacks named his last two seasons, Hendrickson is in a position to take advantage of financially. Bengals – defense owners who were disappointing enough to shoot their manager after the 2024 season – players like Hendrickson need to prevent the unit from moving even more in 2025.
Logically, the solution is simple: pay Hendrickson and continue. But Bengal’s obvious will to do so indicates that they may have already spent in a position where they cannot afford to reward deserved place like Hendrickson.
This-enhanced their alleged reluctance to interact with Hendrickson-Homit replaced the first team in the first team and caused him to ask if he has the club’s support.
“This is also a difficult question because you try not to let the company become personal,” said Hendrickson. “I think the last week or so it has become personal, unfortunately. And when there is a lack of communication in some relationship, whether it is a business or a personal relationship, leads to lack of communication to hostility and it only leaves me without a clear policy.
“So the lack of direction, lack of communication, causes me to make me think about what is going to happen more than how great they have done with the last four years. Because I say I have said it to everyone, my son was right that I have done it.
As this continues to draw, it becomes uglier. Instead of simply paying Hendrickson, Bengals may also have to fix fences to him just to make an extension possible. The remediation is brewing and could be pushed before long.