Hendrickson, Higgins, and Chase

[CrashDavisSports]

From today's session of "Trey". 2 things can be true at the same time:

1 - The Bengals should pay Trey. I think it's less about the total dollars, and more about the years. I'm guessing he wants 4 years (this year plus 3). I'm guessing the Bengals are offering 2 (This year, one more). They should meet in the middle and get it done. 3 Years. Bump his pay up this year, and give him 2 years in the extension. Done.

2 - Trey comes off like a whiney bitch. Same thing last year when he still had 2 years left on his deal. Same thing before that when 2 years ago they extended him by a year. He didn't have to take that, and could have already been a F/A or at least past this entire process. He helped to kick the can down the road, and helped to (in some ways) cause this issue with his age and the years of the contract. Also, him complaining about being told he'd be fined if he didn't show up to mini-camp is hilarious. What did he think was going to happen? Yes, being told 30 days out may indicate there won't be a ton of movement prior to then, but it's also a nice heads up so you can go ahead and plan on not getting that money - and it isn't a "surprise" or "gotcha" moment with a last-second fine. He really comes off as a bit of a bitch.

I don't know man. You are assuming, and the way the Bengals have handled business in the past, the way they are handling their rookies this year, the length of time it took them to get Chase and Higgins done, what do you think is a more accurate assessment? I think Trey would be happy with a 3 year deal - 2 beyond this one, if this year was torn up and that new contract was for 3 years including this one up coming. I think they are offering him 25 million for 2 more years, but want him to play this year at his current rate. I think they are low balling the hell out of him. That is my assuming.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I don't know man. You are assuming, and the way the Bengals have handled business in the past, the way they are handling their rookies this year, the length of time it took them to get Chase and Higgins done, what do you think is a more accurate assessment? I think Trey would be happy with a 3 year deal - 2 beyond this one, if this year was torn up and that new contract was for 3 years including this one up coming. I think they are offering him 25 million for 2 more years, but want him to play this year at his current rate. I think they are low balling the hell out of him. That is my assuming.

I think the big sticking point is years. I think the Bengals want to extend him 1 more year, in effect giving him a new 2 year deal with new money this year. I don't think they want to go beyond that.

I think Trey would take a 3 year deal, but I think he's looking at 4 (this year plus 3).

Just speculating on my part...either way, I think a new deal for 3 years, with this year getting the bump in pay - or a 2 year extension - makes sense.

He signed an extension 2 years ago. Then came back last year and asked for more again. Now he's back a 3rd time (rightfully). I'm just saying...if he just had not signed the 1st small extension - he could have already been through all of this mess.

Like I said - 2 things can be true at the same time. The Bengals need to do more when it comes to high profile players and contracts. Trey has been a bit of a bitch these past 2+ years regarding his contracts. Both can be true.

 

[cincygrad]

I think the big sticking point is years. I think the Bengals want to extend him 1 more year, in effect giving him a new 2 year deal with new money this year. I don't think they want to go beyond that.

I think Trey would take a 3 year deal, but I think he's looking at 4 (this year plus 3).

Just speculating on my part...either way, I think a new deal for 3 years, with this year getting the bump in pay - or a 2 year extension - makes sense.

He signed an extension 2 years ago. Then came back last year and asked for more again. Now he's back a 3rd time (rightfully). I'm just saying...if he just had not signed the 1st small extension - he could have already been through all of this mess.

Like I said - 2 things can be true at the same time. The Bengals need to do more when it comes to high profile players and contracts. Trey has been a bit of a bitch these past 2+ years regarding his contracts. Both can be true.

I can speculate too..... I bet Trey would be fine playing on a one year deal if you paid him another 10 million. And they have the money.

 

[cincygrad]

I feel like the bigger point is getting lost in all of this..... The Bengals have more than 20 million available in cap space. They really don't have that many players that will be coming due for paydays. They have prime Burrow, Chase and Higgins. They could easily fill out the rest of this year's cap with a new deal for Trey and two NFL starting guards. That team would be a contender in the AFC. They refuse to do it. Why? What is their ultimate goal as a franchise. That's the real question to me..... I'd say the their is absolutely no evidence that the answer has anything to do with winning a championship.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I can speculate too..... I bet Trey would be fine playing on a one year deal if you paid him another 10 million. And they have the money.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain - he's said he wants a "long term deal"...he's done with doing a contract every year...so, no I don't think he'd take a 1 year deal, even with $10M more in new money.

I'm just saying - it's easy to bash the Bengals...and they've earned that. They need to do more. But Trey has done this now for like 2-3 years...

like I said...both things can be true at the same time. Bengals need to do better. Trey's been a bit of a bitch.

 

[Cincyfan78]

FWIW - from today's 'speech' from Trey: Hendrickson said a long term contract with guarantees is a sign of mutual respect and lets him be able to stop negotiating every offseason.

Because of the deals signed, the guaranteed portion of the contract has never gone past year 1....Trey has asked to re-negotiate a deal every year he's been here because of this. Every. Year. Either sign a deal you like, or don't sign. He keeps playing the Bengals game, and then also plays the victim by going to the press like he has for the past 2-3 years. I'm not saying he's wrong for wanting more money or a longer contract - I agree - but his constant running to the press and whining about it is being a bitch.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Not only that, but the Bengals are offering less money in roster bonus to the 17th pick than last year's 17th pick. Shocking I know. The rookies want the money up front.... It's the same money, it just comes up front. But, we know the Bengals can't possibly have enough cash on hand to give them money up front. And god forbid we pay someone before they take the field. ITS THE SAME DAMN MONEY!

MSN

I know your post was more about what they are offering in terms of the contract, but saw this and wanted to repost and your comment is the closest thing I can find in this thread about the rookies and the hold out.

 

[DanBengalfan]

he's a UFA for 2026
the Bengals believe a contract is a contract.
The Bengals will do what they want.

 

[cincygrad]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain - he's said he wants a "long term deal"...he's done with doing a contract every year...so, no I don't think he'd take a 1 year deal, even with $10M more in new money.

I'm just saying - it's easy to bash the Bengals...and they've earned that. They need to do more. But Trey has done this now for like 2-3 years...

like I said...both things can be true at the same time. Bengals need to do better. Trey's been a bit of a bitch.

I hear him saying that too.... But, I think if they gave him a bonus of 10 million dollars and both sides agreed to walk after the season, he would sign. I honestly think he would have agreed to a fair market deal 2 seasons ago for more than 1 year extension. Hell, he gave them a sweet deal with the one year extension. Would have been even sweeter if it had more years.

 

[cincygrad]

There's also a strange dialogue from our fans about how Trey should just honor his deal.... Or that he shouldn't need guarantees. Did the Bengals honor Cappa's deal? Rankins? Mixon? Stone? Are they going to honor the Pratt deal they just made two years ago? No.... They do not. They cut guys or ask to restructure when they don't play to the level that they signed. But Katie wants it both ways - she wants the power to say that the club has every right to get out of deals but players have no rights to job or contract security.

 

[DanBengalfan]

they've given up on making him happy. remember when Carson wanted to retire, Mike said, "he signed a contract, he should honor it"

that's the mentality we're dealing with.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I hear him saying that too.... But, I think if they gave him a bonus of 10 million dollars and both sides agreed to walk after the season, he would sign. I honestly think he would have agreed to a fair market deal 2 seasons ago for more than 1 year extension. Hell, he gave them a sweet deal with the one year extension. Would have been even sweeter if it had more years.

You might be right about that. You offer to pay him an additional XX for this year, and then agree to part ways next year. Not unlike what the Bengals have done with previous Franchise Tags. I could see that.

But, long-term, Trey wants long term...so...that's the angle I've been coming at. Bengals see he's turning 31 this year and are viewing his 35 sacks as likely peak. I get that...but I also see the value in a guy that gets 6-7-8 sacks and teams are scheming against the next 2-3 years even as he *might* wind down his career.

This is why I've said - I think the valuation is likely at a current point that they are mutually intertwined and are better off simply coming to terms. Bengals need to move. Trey needs to move. Trey needs to also - stop going to the press every single year. This is like the 3rd season he's approached them about his contract...in one instance he accepted a deal...knowing that there was nothing guaranteed after that year. If he didn't like that - he shouldn't have signed that - and he would have been a F/A. So, when Trey cries about his contract...I don't disagree that he should be paid, but I also see he's part of his own problem and going to the press like he did the other day just makes him look a bit like a bitch...again, mainly because it's the 3rd year in a row he's done this.

Don't confuse this to mean I agree with the Bengals...I don't. Both things can be true - again - Bengals continue to F'up contracts, and Trey is acting a bit like a bitch. That's my hill, and I'll die on it.

 

[Cincyfan78]

There's also a strange dialogue from our fans about how Trey should just honor his deal.... Or that he shouldn't need guarantees. Did the Bengals honor Cappa's deal? Rankins? Mixon? Stone? Are they going to honor the Pratt deal they just made two years ago? No.... They do not. They cut guys or ask to restructure when they don't play to the level that they signed. But Katie wants it both ways - she wants the power to say that the club has every right to get out of deals but players have no rights to job or contract security.

Agreed here.

You can't go to Moss/Stone and reduce their pay and state they didn't earn it, and turn around and then say to Trey - You signed a contract, you should honor it.

The guaranteed portion of the contract was never a real issue in the mid '00's because the Bengals almost never cut anyone. Now that they are reducing pay and cutting players...those under contract, or entering into a contract, have a 100% right to want those guarantees. Those days of the Bengals holding on to players because they "honor" contracts has gone out the window - so their communication of "Just honor your contract" is stale and woefully outdated.

 

[Cincyfan78]

they've given up on making him happy. remember when Carson wanted to retire, Mike said, "he signed a contract, he should honor it"

that's the mentality we're dealing with.

If they offered Trey a 3 or 4 year deal, and paid him within range - He'll sign.

Remember when Garrett refused to return to the Browns. Called them out, said they don't have a plan. Signed like 2 weeks later...and the Browns are even more lost than they were before that horrific draft...

 

[DanBengalfan]

If they offered Trey a 3 or 4 year deal, and paid him within range - He'll sign.

Remember when Garrett refused to return to the Browns. Called them out, said they don't have a plan. Signed like 2 weeks later...and the Browns are even more lost than they were before that horrific draft...

yea, the Bengals probably feel like they made a decent offer and if he wanted to play here for real, he could have signed it.

 

[Cincyfan78]

yea, the Bengals probably feel like they made a decent offer and if he wanted to play here for real, he could have signed it.

Bengals always feel like their offer is fair...unfortunately, the rest of the world lives in reality...LOL

 

[cincygrad]

Agreed here.

You can't go to Moss/Stone and reduce their pay and state they didn't earn it, and turn around and then say to Trey - You signed a contract, you should honor it.

The guaranteed portion of the contract was never a real issue in the mid '00's because the Bengals almost never cut anyone. Now that they are reducing pay and cutting players...those under contract, or entering into a contract, have a 100% right to want those guarantees. Those days of the Bengals holding on to players because they "honor" contracts has gone out the window - so their communication of "Just honor your contract" is stale and woefully outdated.

Bingo! They used to honor contracts even when they had no business honoring those deals. I remember when we paid Leon Hall an absurd amount of money after he tore both achilles. He was a great Bengal and I'm happy they treated him well, but there was no reason for them to do it. But they've changed...... They cut or restructure guys every offseason now based on performance. And they're more than happy to tell guys to take it or leave it. I have a sense that this is going to bite them in the ass going forward - You can already see some agents warning their clients about the organization's behavior. There's a reason why our top pick isn't practicing.

 

[DanBengalfan]

always a risk of signing someone to a huge contract, lots of guaranteed money and he gets wheeled off the field in a cart before the season really even gets started.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

always a risk of signing someone to a huge contract, lots of guaranteed money and he gets wheeled off the field in a cart before the season really even gets started.

That's any player at any given time. We can always insure every player with massive policies like the Browns did with Watson. But that really eats into the Bengals management profits and personal bank accounts.

 

[cincygrad]

Florio has floated the idea that the Bengals have offered 28 million. No word on length of deal though. My assumption is that that number would be in the ballpark if it were a 3 year deal with guarantees. But I don't think the Bengals have any interest. So, I think it comes down to whether Trey wants to gamble away a season for the hopes of signing a long term deal elsewhere next season. Honestly, probably not in his best interests given his age. I do wonder if they can find some middle ground here - Maybe the Bengals could come around to paying him a fair market rate this season with a handshake agreement not to use the tag in the offseason. Trey doesn't get any security out of it, but he gets a big chunk of change...... That would be my hope. Unfortunately, I think the Bengals have probably proposed such a play (they have the cap room this season) but Trey is dug in on long term.