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Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Bengals Get Positive Update on Trey Hendrickson's Holdout
The Cincinnati Bengals experienced a rollercoaster season of ups and downs in 2024. Some highlights included Joe Burrow's MVP-like campaign and Trey Hendrickson leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks. It still wasn't enough to reach the postseason. Yet, once the season ended, Hendrickson demanded a trade from the Bengals, and the team granted his agent's request to speak to other teams. However, the Bengals were never able to find a trade partner for the first-team All-Pro on an expiring contract. Nevertheless, Hendrickson still wanted a new contract, one that properly recognized his value as one of the NFL's best pass-rushers. After all, T.J. Watt is now earning an average annual value of $41 million per season, which is far more than the $18.6 million cap hit Hendrickson is set to have for the Bengals this year. While Hendrickson had been holding out of Bengals training camp practices while he sought a raise, his stance has suddenly changed. According to ESPN's NFL expert Adam Schefter, Hendrickson is ending his holdout by reporting to Bengals camp on Wednesday, without a new deal in place. While Hendrickson doesn't appear to be getting a new contract, he'll at least no longer be subject to daily fines of $50,000. Who knows? Maybe the Bengals will see Hendrickson's commitment to the team and decide to reward him anyway. Either way, with first-round rookie Shemar Stewart recently coming to terms on his deal, and Hendrickson being set to report, the Bengals will have their top pass-rushers finally practicing with the rest of their teammates. Related: Related Headlines Reds Acquire Ke'Bryan Hayes in Blockbuster Trade for 'Much Needed Change of Scenery' UFC Middleweight Rankings: Reinier de Ridder Continues Rise After Win Over Robert Whittaker Phillies Eye 'Surprising' Reliever as Top Bullpen Target Before Trade Deadline Wild Rumor Claims Dodgers Expected To Land Two Stars Before Deadline, Including Mason Miller
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals Fail to Hit Double-Digit Wins in Wacky 2025 Season Prediction
Bengals Fail to Hit Double-Digit Wins in Wacky 2025 Season Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After a 9-8 effort in 2024, there are certainly questions surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals roster as the team embarks on training camp this offseason. While the offense posted eye-popping numbers last year and quarterback Joe Burrow had an MVP-like season, the defense failed. And it was an area of concern entering this offseason. Most notably, the pass rush was brought into question beyond reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, so the team selected Texas A&M Aggies pass rusher Shemar Stewart, who now might not play a down for the Bengals. Hendrickson might be done in Cincinnati, too, as he's dealing with a contract dispute. All the questions are on the defensive side of the ball, and they're big ones. That probably has something to do with Pro Football & Sports Network's prediction for the Bengals' 2025 season, in which it thinks Cincinnati will fail to hit 10 wins again. Cincinnati Bengals 2025 Prediction Projected Win-Loss Record: 9.6-7.4 Playoff Probability: 65.3% Divisional Probability: 17.7% Super Bowl Probability: 3.8% "The Cincinnati Bengals executed on their biggest task this offseason, signing Tee Higgins to a contract extension. With him, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase all under contract for the long run, their offense should continue to be a formidable unit for the foreseeable future," PFSN wrote. "Their offense alone will keep them in playoff contention, but the Bengals' defense could be what holds them out of it. "The unit isn't much different from the lackluster group they had last year, and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is holding out for a new contract. Whether or not Cincinnati makes the postseason will depend on the play of its defense." The prediction seems a bit wacky, seeing how the offense has seemingly improved with a retooled offensive line, but considering that the defense might take a step backward from an already anemic performance, it might be right in line. Simply put, Burrow can't play defense too. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' slow starts have bettors concerned over possible erratic 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals are a tough team to read. A quarterback like Joe Burrow with weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and friends should be Super Bowl contenders. But it's not so simple. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor tends to produce slow starts to seasons and Burrow put up an MVP-like showing last year, only to miss the playoffs. Hence, even professional bettors cringing away from the Bengals right now. "They're such a high-volatility team," a professional bettor told Fox Sports' Sam Panayotovich. "The quarterback and skill players give them a high ceiling. If they suffer a crucial injury or two on offense and the defense is worse, they can win five games. The big issue is the way they start [under head coach Zac Taylor]. How do you go 0-2 almost every year in the first two games? It's alarming. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason All fair points, even if the bettor suggests he still likes the Bengals in 11 games next season. Taylor has stressed he has and will make changes to the offseason program in an effort to avoid those slow starts, at least. The Bengals desperately need that trend to change: While they play Cleveland and Jacksonville to start the season, three of their first four games are road encounters. Dropping multiple games over the first month of the season would be a season-ruiner, hence everyone remaining bullish on Burrow's team. RELATED: Joe Burrow feelings on Trey Hendrickson contract standoff revealed
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joe Burrow's health gets spotlight as Bengals training camp nears
Negativity tends to make the big waves, but the Cincinnati Bengals have one major positive going for them as training camp gets going. Joe Burrow is healthy. It's an aspect of things that has fallen underappreciated as contract drama around Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart continues. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, though, just spotlighted it as the one major reason for optimism for the Bengals this summer: 'Burrow couldn't carry the Bengals to the playoffs last year, but he led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns. In his two other healthy campaigns, Cincinnati has reached the AFC title game. In Burrow's other two seasons, he's finished the year on injured reserve, and the Bengals have finished last in the AFC North.' RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason It's a nice thing to recall for a fanbase that has now watched Burrow deal with the knee injury, non-contact calf issue and the wrist injury, never mind the little bumps and bruises along the way. The fact Burrow put up an MVP-like season last year and the Bengals still couldn't make the playoffs isn't lost on anyone, though. Those in charge still hope that simply going with a youth movement under Al Golden will produce a defense that can properly carry its weight while a healthy Burrow and his weapons pop off. Easier said than done, but the health factor with Burrow, at least, is a strong point entering training camp. RELATED: Joe Burrow feelings on Trey Hendrickson contract standoff revealed
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' offense gets an eyebrow-raising ranking ahead of training camp
Most would probably agree Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals offense deserves a spot in the top five rankings when looking ahead to the 2025 season. But not all rankings would agree, it seems. A new effort from Pro Football Network keeps the Bengals in the top 10, but ranks them seventh. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason Granted, this might feel like nitpicking. A spot in the top 10, after all, is a spot in the top 10. But Burrow, coming off an MVP-like season while completing 70.6 percent of his passes for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns against nine interceptions, makes it feel like 2025 projections should probably be even higher. The Bengals, after all, fielded a bottom-three rushing attack last year and remade the entire scheme with a new offensive line coach, to name one upgrade. A better complementary defense could help, too. Still, this is summer nitpicking as the Bengals get ready to hit training camp and start working toward proving these types of projections wrong. RELATED: Joe Burrow feelings on Trey Hendrickson contract standoff revealed
