Joe Burrow reportedly blames himself for Trey Hendrickson contract distraction, not the Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is reportedly blaming himself—not the team—for the unresolved contract situation with star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. As Hendrickson’s holdout continues, Burrow’s reaction highlights leadership, but also underscores the growing pressure on the franchise ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Joe Burrow shoulders blame as Trey Hendrickson’s contract standoff puts Bengals’ 2025 season at risk

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Joe Burrow isn’t pointing fingers at the Bengals’ front office for failing to secure Hendrickson’s extension. Instead, he’s internalizing the issue, believing it’s on him to lead the team through the distraction.“He puts it all on his shoulders and says, ‘Hey, we have to get this done. I’m the quarterback of this franchise,’” Fowler reported.

While that mindset is admirable, Burrow doesn’t control contract negotiations.

The Bengals have reportedly offered Hendrickson a deal worth $28 million per year. But considering Hendrickson has recorded more sacks than any edge rusher in the NFL over the past two seasons, that offer may not reflect his true market value.

$28M offer falls short as Hendrickson holdout threatens Bengals’ 2025 hopes

According to Over the Cap, a $28 million annual salary would rank Hendrickson eighth among edge rushers, trailing players like T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett, even though Hendrickson has outperformed many of them recently.

His camp is pushing for a top-five salary, and rightly so, given his consistent impact on the Bengals' defense.Fowler added that Hendrickson remains firmly committed to his stance and is prepared to miss games if a new deal isn’t reached. For a Bengals team aiming to rebound in the AFC and make a deep playoff run, losing their top defensive player could be a massive blow.Burrow’s willingness to take the blame shows leadership, but it doesn’t change the reality. The Bengals must resolve this holdout before it disrupts team chemistry and derails their 2025 campaign.Also Read: Jim Kelly ranked top 15 Super Bowl era QB: Ahead of Lamar Jackson, Bart Starr, and Warren MoonIf the Bengals want to remain competitive in 2025, securing Trey Hendrickson with a fair-market deal is critical. His production ranks among the league’s best, and replacing that impact won’t be easy if the holdout continues.