Bengals' continued Trey Hendrickson disaster shows Rams what not to do

The Los Angeles Rams will have some tough decisions to make as early as the 2027 NFL offseason. While you may scoff at that alarmist perspective, contract negotiations do not simply happen at the snap of a finger. It's a delicate matter that requires rock-solid data, clear and honest communication, and a bit of statesmanship. And like every relationship, it's not something that you can establish instantly, but rather must develop over time.

When it came to negotiating the extensions for veteran QB Matthew Stafford and IOL Kevin Dotson, the Rams were a perfect example of what to do right. In both cases, the Rams were forthright, worked with the player and agents, and emerged with a contract that both sides are happy to execute.

Of course, you do not need to look long or hard to find the exact opposite style of contract negotiations. The Rams can use the Cincinnati Bengals' recent experience in failing to extend Bengals veteran edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. While both sides have been communicating before the NFL Draft, per Trey Hendrickson's statements made to ESPN today, no communication has occurred since the draft concluded on April 26, 2025.

That was more than two weeks ago.

The thing about successful communications is to ensure frequent, honest communications between all parties. That is particularly necessary after the Bengals pounced on Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Right now, Bengals depth chart projections place Stewart behind Hendrickson. And with Hendrickson facing the last year of his current contract, he expects to be informed if and when the Bengals front office pivots from extending him to simply letting him play out his current contract and starting rookie Shemar Stewart in his place.

The Rams will face extensions of both OLB Byron Young and NT Kobie Turner in 2027, and OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske in 2028. In both scenarios, the offseason is the likely signing of extensions. But the work to get there begins now.

Relationships are not limited to a player's agent and the team's GM. Those relationships of belonging are forged between players, coaches, and front office staff throughout a player's career. And while the Rams are still working at improving their marks at player satisfaction, few players in recent years have been eager to put the Los Angeles Rams in their rear view mirrors. You can look at the recent comments from both WRs Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson for examples of players who wanted to return to the roster in 2025.

The Rams have done well at contract negotiations, and no reason that cannot continue. But it only takes one bad negotiation to create a negative buzz that spreads throughout the league. Trey Hendrickson's unnecessary snub is not only a disappointing experience for the player himself. But his frustration has just been broadcast to every potential free agent player considering playing for the Bengals in the future.

And a bad reputation takes a long time to remove in NFL circles.

As always, thanks for reading.

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