Three-time Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Mark Schlereth took a shot at the Cincinnati Bengals’ front office over its handling of star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Schlereth played twelve NFL seasons in Washington and Denver and was named to two Pro Bowl teams despite being drafted in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.
After being told he’d receive a new deal, Hendrickson has been left hanging — and Schlereth is firmly on the player’s side.
‘Sign Another Wide Receiver’ – Mark Schlereth Sarcastically Tears Into the Bengals Front Office
Eyebrows were raised when the Bengals handed out massive extensions to both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati was already facing tough cap decisions this offseason, with Hendrickson, Chase, and Higgins all in line for new contracts.
Despite the financial implications, Chase and Higgins were both signed to four-year deals totaling $276 million. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, matching his total from 2023. The four-time Pro-Bowler and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up was left in limbo.
Talks between Hendrickson and the team stalled, prompting the Bengals to grant him permission to seek a trade.
No trade has materialized, and while the team has since stated its intent to work out a deal, Hendrickson recently dismissed that message. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” he claimed he hasn’t heard from the team at all.
Cincinnati’s approach hasn’t sat well with Schlereth. Speaking on “Breakfast Ball,” he blasted the front office for undervaluing one of the league’s top pass rushers.
“I think the only thing they need to do, really, is sign another wide receiver,” Schlereth said sarcastically.
.@markschlereth on how Trey Hendrickson's should approach a new deal with the Bengals: "If you're looking at the top paid guy in Myles Garrett at $40M, should I make $13M less than him and I'm more productive?" 🤔 pic.twitter.com/b8sR8lK1Sp
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) April 4, 2025
Have the Bengals Over-Indulged on Offense?
Despite Hendrickson’s standout season in 2024, the Bengals finished with the seventh-fewest total sacks (36, tied with the Colts). Offensively, Cincinnati ranked among the league’s best, scoring 472 points — sixth-most in the NFL. But the defense struggled, allowing 434 points, also sixth-most (tied with the Raiders).
The Bengals offense finished the season at No. 7 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. The defense, meanwhile, struggled to No. 28 place finish in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
The roster imbalance is clear. Of the 11 teams that scored the most points in 2024, the Bengals were the only one to miss the playoffs. And none of the teams with bottom-14 defenses in points allowed made the postseason. Defense, not offense, held Cincinnati back.
Whether the Bengals can get a deal done for Hendrickson remains uncertain. But right now, the outlook isn’t promising.