Steelers AFC North Rival Bengals Screwing Trey and Screwing Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their fair share of messy contract negotiations through the years. Reports this offseason indicated that the extension talks with star pass rusher TJ Watt aren't going well as he enters the final year of his current deal.

The Cincinnati Bengals' equivalent of Watt is defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is also entering the final year of his deal and will make $15.8 million.

But it appears there's drama in Cincinnati as NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on X, Hendrickson stated there has been little to no communication between the two sides after the team apparently low-balled him before the draft.

"No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft," Hendrickson said Monday via a statement to ESPN. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”

Cincinnati isn't just at odds with Hendrickson - who is essentially calling his bosses liars - as first-round draft pick and fellow pass rusher Shemar Stewart remains unsigned too.

Per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the team didn't include injury protections in their offer to Stewart prior to rookie minicamp. So Stewart sat out.

So they can't get Hendrickson figured out. And they can't get Stewart figured out.

And right now, therefore, a Bengals team that seems to have the talent to contend is screwing up.

It appears the Bengals have a lot to work on before the start of the 2025 season.