Bengals Caught in a Tug-of-War as Star Players Request Trades

As the Cincinnati Bengals continue to struggle in the NFL, two of their star players have reportedly requested trades. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson has asked to be traded, seeking more long-term security. Despite being under contract for two more years with substantial salaries, Hendrickson feels that he deserves more stability and is not willing to wait for it from the team.

Despite this request, the Bengals are reportedly not willing to move him, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. This comes on the heels of star wide receiver Tee Higgins also asking for a trade as he looks for a long-term deal. There have been no contract talks between Higgins and the Bengals in over a year, according to Schefter’s report.

Higgins had an impressive 2020 season where he caught 67 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns. In his two seasons with the Bengals, he has accumulated 119 receptions for 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns in 25 games. However, Higgins feels that he deserves a bigger role in the team’s offense and is not satisfied with his current contract situation.

The Bengals have struggled in recent years and are currently at a crossroads with their roster. They must decide whether to trade these talented players or keep them and try to build around them moving forward. One thing is clear – they will need to make some tough decisions if they want to succeed in the competitive NFL landscape.