Latest news with #Bengals'
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengals and Trey Hendrickson locked in contract war that could shatter Cincinnati's defense
Trey Hendrickson contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals has become a major NFL story, dragging on for months with no resolution in sight. As tensions escalate, both sides remain firm, leaving fans to wonder when the stalemate will end. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This ongoing battle could seriously affect Hendrickson's future and the Bengals' defense heading into the crucial 2025 season. Trey Hendrickson contract standoff threatening Cincinnati's defensive strength Since last year, the Bengals and Hendrickson have been locked in an increasingly ugly negotiation, with no clear sign of progress. This isn't your typical holdout or quiet contract dispute. Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler and arguably the NFL's premier edge rusher over the past two seasons, has openly criticized the Bengals for their lack of communication and transparency. His frustration spilled over into public statements, underscoring how personal the matter has become. Hendrickson's stance is firm: he refuses to play under his current contract, which many view as a slap given his league-leading sack totals in 2024. The Bengals' offer, reportedly around $28 million per year, falls well short of the market value for a player of his caliber—especially when compared to stars like Maxx Crosby, who earns $35.5 million annually, and Myles Garrett at $40 million. This chasm in expectations has led to increasingly harsh actions, including the Bengals threatening fines if Hendrickson doesn't attend the mandatory minicamp in June. Rather than encouraging cooperation, the letter only deepened the rift, with Hendrickson calling out the move as a clear sign the Bengals do not intend to resolve the issue anytime soon. Insiders, like Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, believe the upcoming mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 10-12 could force a breakthrough or at least create some urgency. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But given the current frostiness, it's more likely to be a flashpoint than a resolution. Also Read: While trading Hendrickson might seem like a drastic and short-sighted decision, the widening gulf and deteriorating relationship leave few alternatives. Losing Hendrickson would be a severe blow to Cincinnati's pass rush and defensive identity, especially with the 2025 season approaching.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Opinion: Jack Brennan was closeted as Bengals PR head. He's out now and has a lot to say
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. This story is also part of our Pride Month coverage. Jack Brennan was like a handful of powerful people in the NFL: He was a team PR person. In this case, for the Cincinnati Bengals. And as a PR person he was, in many ways, the front person for the team. If you wanted to talk to then coach Marvin Lewis one-on-one, you went through Brennan. Brennan was always professional, kind and did whatever he could to make your job easy. He was, in other words, a pro. He was also gay. The latter fact almost no one knew. Brennan kept it a secret throughout his 23-year Bengals career which ended in 2017. Brennan's story remains one of the most fascinating in recent league history because while the NFL and media has (understandably) focused on players coming out, there have been few team and league officials who have done the same. That's because, even in an NFL environment that is allegedly more acceptable now, it's been historically hindering to be LGBTQ+ in the NFL, either as a player or team official. When asked if he felt the NFL was an unwelcoming place to come out when he was with the Bengals, Brennan said during an interview with USA TODAY Sports: "I didn't come out until I left the NFL, so I guess I felt that way." There are many different types of heroes in what is the continuing battle for the LGBTQ+ community to keep its rights and protect itself. Brennan is one of those heroes. He wasn't vocal as the PR chief for the Bengals, but he's speaking out now, and Brennan has a lot to say. He does some of the talking in a new book Football Sissy: A Cross-Dressing Memoir from Belt Publishing which is scheduled to be released in September. The book is a striking piece of work. In many ways it's an historical document because Brennan gives you an inside look at a man who had a secret passion for wearing dresses while working for an extremely conservative league. Brennan didn't share his secret until he spoke with The Athletic in 2021. 'I feel like I want to become more genuine to people around me and not hide anymore. And maybe, I don't know, someone else will see this and it will help them,' Brennan told journalist Joe Posnanski then. "I wanted to write something good and informative," Brennan says now. "I also wanted to write something that would help people. I think one thing I wanted to say was if you're in the LGBTQ community, and you want to help other people in it, you can do so by coming out." One thing Brennan makes clear during our interview was how he felt the league office itself was tolerant of the LGBTQ+ community and for the most part, he said, so were the Bengals. However, Brennan explained that on occasion around the Bengals' complex: "Sometimes people would make slurs or insensitive comments in the office, or in the locker room." What concerned Brennan the most about possibly coming out while with the Bengals? That he would be reassigned. "Would the Bengals think it was inappropriate for me to be walking around the locker room," Brennan said during his interview with me, "around players not always wearing clothes?" Brennan believes the NFL is a better place now for the LGBTQ+ community than when he was with the Bengals. Not greatly better, he said, but better. There's just one thing that concerns him. Brennan explained he's watched as some institutions have buckled to pressure from the Trump administration which has been anti-LGBTQ. "I just hope the NFL doesn't," said Brennan. If the league has the bravery of Brennan, it won't.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase gets a lofty target goal from Kay Adams
Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase gets a lofty target goal from Kay Adams Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase has moved beyond specific stat goals, other than winning a Super Bowl, of course. He's instead turned his attention to other things, such as changes to his leadership style. Chase, after all, arrived and indeed broke Bengals franchise records like he said he wanted to, then one-upped himself last season with the Triple Crown triumph while catching 127 passes for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. But not everyone is willing to let Chase off the hook for on-field goals. Kay Adams, for example, just threw down a lofty one for Chase: 1,800 receiving yards in a season. RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs Adams was pointing out that current odds seem to range around the 1,320-yard mark for Chase in 2025. A quick comparison of Chase's first four weeks of the season last year compared to the rest of the campaign hints that maybe a 1,800-yard season isn't that outlandish. With Chase, at this point, fans can't really put it past him. Either way, the quick look at the topic is worth a watch: RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar When it comes to x-factors in 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals have a few who come to mind. Think, someone like rookie Demetrius Knight being able to step in and help on the defense right away. Or the front office when it comes to solving the contract standoffs with both Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart. Somewhat joking about the front office aside, another key x-factor is second-year offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who just found himself spotlighted as such by Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman: "The Bengals had the second-lowest-graded offensive line in the league, finishing above only the Patriots. The unit remains mostly the same from 2024, and the player whom most are expecting to make a jump is right tackle Amarius Mims. The 2024 first-round pick mostly had a rookie season to forget, placing 67th among all tackles with a 57.8 PFF overall grade. If he doesn't experience a sophomore breakout, Cincinnati's offensive line could struggle mightily once again." RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs The Bengals are certainly counting on Mims to make a second-year leap and stay on the field. They could also trot out two new starters at guard with free-agent arrival Lucas Patrick and rookie Dylan Fairchild. Arguably more than anything, the Bengals hope that a new-look coaching staff overseeing the offensive trenches offers a big solution too, helping to get the most out of their guys while finally developing some of their own draft picks properly. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ja'Marr Chase gives blunt contract answer about Bengals' slow start
Ja'Marr Chase gives blunt contract answer about Bengals' slow start The topic of starting fast is something that predictably came up during the first day of Cincinnati Bengals OTAs. Star wideout Ja'Marr Chase was front-and-center on that topic, fielding questions about the slow start to last season and that now infamous loss to the lowly New England Patriots. Chase was more than willing to admit that the contract drama played a big role in his own stumble out of the gates. "I could say I wasn't mentally ready to be on the field," Chase said, according to WCPO's Marshall Kramsky. "I was in my own head. I wanted to play, but I was in my own head. That's what it was." RELATED: Shemar Stewart's contract beef with Bengals revealed in report Slow start or not, Chase went on to put up a career year en route to the elusive Triple Crown honor. But the "what could have been?" game continues to hurt the Bengals after just missing the playoffs. All of that is behind Chase and the Bengals now, of course. The team paid up big to keep Chase and Tee Higgins. While Chase doesn't sound as enthusiastic as quarterback Joe Burrow does on the topic of playing in preseason games, if it's what the MVP contender and head coach Zac Taylor want this summer, one can safely guess Chase will be out there. RELATED: Bengals takeaways and thoughts on Jermaine Burton, contract drama
