Trey Hendrickson signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. The $60 million investment in him turned out to be an excellent decision for the franchise, as the star defensive end has been crucial in their successful run with Joe Burrow.
Hendrickson led the league with 17.5 sacks this past season, but he only has one year left on his deal. The 30-year-old playmaker recently appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and provided an update on his future in Cincinnati. It led to Bengals general manager Duke Tobin getting criticized by fans on social media.
Bengals Fans Call Out GM Duke Tobin in Defense of Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson appeared upset with Tobin, releasing a public statement in which he talked about how the team cannot have the players “at the top of payroll in every position.” Tobin also hinted at potentially parting ways with the four-time Pro Bowler.
The Bengals’ star expressed his desire to stay in Cincinnati and wants them to win a Super Bowl. Hendrickson also mentioned that he would be happy if the Bengals won the Super Bowl with the help of the draft picks they get by trading him.
Since the player has shown so much love for the franchise, Bengals fans believe the front office and the ownership group should do everything possible to keep him on the roster. They called out Tobin for the way he has handled players over the last few years, and here are some of their reactions:
The Bengals front office is such an embarrassment
— Dylan McCareeth (@TheDmac5) February 5, 2025
“Unprofessionalism of the Bengals front office is off the charts,” said a fan.
Another fan added, “I hate the Bengals front office. They ruin everything.”
Why do players continually find out how the team feels about them through the media?
Duke Tobin, Troy Blackburn & the entire Brown family need out of Cincinnati
Whether the team is winning or the laughing stock of the NFL, they still can't handle these situations professionally
— ⚾️ Reds It's Time to Retire #19 ⚾️ (@WillLewis_1976) February 5, 2025
“Bengals front office needs to sort themselves out. This complaint happens over and over and doesn’t aid the goal,” wrote a fan.
“Worst front office in sports,” added one fan.
Its legit crazy how much the Players love playing here vs how the Front Office values them being here https://t.co/j5rOBNax0b
— Flee Higgins (@RyThaFlyGuy23) February 5, 2025
The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league this past season, and it will get worse if Hendrickson leaves the team. Cincinnati’s defense struggled, ultimately costing Lou Anarumo, the team’s former defensive coordinator, his job.
Cincinnati Will Likely Lose Another Key Player in the Offseason
While Hendrickson still has one year left on his current contract, Tee Higgins is an unrestricted free agent, and he is likely to leave the franchise. Burrow has repeatedly made his intentions clear of having both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase alongside him for years to come — the team has its work cut out to figure out how to retain both WRs.
Higgins is expected to sign a deal north of the $30 million annually mark, while Chase will get around $40 million with his contract extension.
The Bengals made the Super Bowl in Burrow’s second season in the league, but they have been on a completely different trajectory since then. The team didn’t make the playoffs in the last two seasons, and if the front office continues to let go of good players while not adding more talent, they will continue to trend in the wrong direction.