The Cincinnati Bengals showed that the organization is serious about winning during its window with star quarterback Joe Burrow earlier this offseason. The Bengals secured both of its star wide receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, to contract extensions.
The Bengals even inked Chase to the highest contact in league history for a non-quarterback, beating the number that Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrettt set not very long before Chase signed his deal.
However, the Bengals haven’t come to terms on an extension with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last season. In fact, the Bengals gave Hendrickson permission to seek out a trade partner, indicating that the organization may be ready to move on rather than sign him to the contract his level of play last season commands.
However, it appears that the Bengals are driving a hard bargain in trade negotiations.
“‘Numerous’ teams have offered mid-round picks for Hendrickson, but the Bengals have stayed firm on wanting a first-round pick in exchange for the league leader in sacks from a season ago,” reported Cincy Jungle on Tuesday.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“If they think he’s worth a 1st rounder, why not pay him what he’s worth and be done with it,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“I’m tired of hearing we’re being unreasonable the bengals have the leverage he’s under contract the league wants to act like a 1st rd pick isn’t worth it Well it was worth it for Von Miller when the rams gave up a 1st and a 3rd to get him off a 8 sack szn.. Treys worth a 1st,” another fan added.
“So funny that his team thinks he’s worth tier 1 edge money, the media thinks he’s worth tier 1 edge money, but yet teams aren’t willing to shell out a tier 1 trade asset in a 1st round pick. Mind boggling how badly his agent botched this dudes career thus far,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Hendrickson situation plays out in Cincinnati.
