Joe Burrow Calls for Bengals to Secure Trey Hendrickson’s Future

CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, spoke on Tuesday about the importance of Trey Hendrickson in the team’s future. Hendrickson, a defensive end, is missing mandatory minicamp while seeking a new contract, raising concerns about his potential absence this season.

Burrow acknowledged the situation, stating, “Obviously it’s a possibility. It’s not one that I think would make us a better team. So we’ll see what ends up happening. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I wish I had an answer for you, but we’ll see.” Burrow’s comments reflect the team’s uncertainty as negotiations have stalled.

Hendrickson’s absence is particularly concerning for the Bengals, who have experienced defensive setbacks. With Hendrickson on the field, the Bengals’ pass defense ranked eighth in the league, allowing a success rate of 44% and a passer rating of 86.9. However, without him, the team’s performance plummets to the bottom, ranking 32nd in success rate allowed and completion rate.

“It’s crucial for us to have Trey,” Burrow added. “We can’t afford to lose a player of his caliber if we want to compete for a championship.” The Bengals are under pressure to resolve the contract issue and ensure they have their strongest lineup for the upcoming season.

As negotiations stall, the franchise faces a dilemma: will they prioritize strengthening their defense around Burrow, or risk losing Hendrickson and facing a more challenging season ahead?