He is just about shot.
Oft-injured, skill/ability declining quickly due to the injuries.

He was due a big figure this year so it was inevitable he was going to have to take a major restructuring or paycut as well.

7 years is quick no doubt. But, it went out pretty well for him in my opinion:
- Local kid that got to play his career for his hometown pro team.
- Definitely one of the fan favorites over his career.
- Didn't have to get cut and play a year or two with another team at a severely diminished capacity.
- Had some definite memorable moments/big plays.
- The last play of his career was a TD reception on offense (that's pretty cool).

He was one of my favorite players on these recent teams.

Yep. Local kid. Appreciate everything he did but he's been hurt the last 2 years and it was time. Frees up a decent amount of cap too.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Bengals have taken the rare step of granting All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate… <a href="https://t.co/7P7Hbe2Y9e">pic.twitter.com/7P7Hbe2Y9e</a></p>&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1897743066720592111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They're basically the 03 Chiefs without a HOF coach.

Said that a few days ago.

Upscale Vermeil Chiefs.

Empty calories.

If they lose Hendrickson they're ****ed. Zero pass rush without him.

What a sad sack organization this is. Pathetic franchise that missed any small window they had.

Hendrickson is such a massive loss.

We are talking about an elite elite dude. He’s not Chris Jones, but he’s not all that far off either.

Trey is a BIG loss, but my favorite part of ANY Bengals offseason is when they bring Zac Taylor back for another year.LMAO

LMAO

Your shit defense has already gotten worse this offseason.

But enjoy anchoring your salary cap down to the top of the WR depth chart.

Bengals watched the Chiefs trade a top 5 receiver in the league instead of paying him and go to three straight superbowls.

Cincinnati is now on the verge of signing two receivers to big deals.

Can’t make this stuff up

Can you blame them that much? They know Burrow would be exposed as a total fraud without either one of them and they can't have that.

Have the Bengals won their last game ever?

Most likely.

Probably not. They do play the Jets occasionally.

Those games will be canceled with both teams being given a loss for conduct detrimental to the league.

Bengals have a lot of cap space. Let's see if they spend it.

Nailed it. He's had the best WR's in college also.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/dXpxyrOIdE">https://t.co/dXpxyrOIdE</a> <a href="https://t.co/qpy2e1TEun">pic.twitter.com/qpy2e1TEun</a></p>&mdash; ChiefsJayhawksRoyals (@CJR16255) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJR16255/status/1899648228749967755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

no worries, we have CB1 for that guy

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chase gotta deal with his daddy anyway <a href="https://t.co/F8rjI9s9XE">pic.twitter.com/F8rjI9s9XE</a></p>&mdash; Oliv (@OlivAim_) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlivAim_/status/1899512662142460258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

lol what are they doing

So do I have this right?

Joe loudly and publicly tells the Bengals to take care of his guys.

The Bengals….

*checks notes*

Sign….

*rubs eyes and checks notes again*

Gaseki….. and Perine.

But not Chase and Higgins.

And give Hendrickson permission to seek a trade.

It’s a bold move, Cotton