Pittsburgh Steelers fans have plenty of legitimate gripes with how the organization has handled things over the past decade. Whether it's the long playoff drought, multiple draft misses, or failing to solve the quarterback situation, things have been far from perfect in the Steel City.
Still, it could always be worse. The Cincinnati Bengals have had quite the hectic offseason, culminating in giving huge deals to their receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
By waiting as long as they did to get those deals done, however, they seem to have alienated their only true difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.
Without as much cash to go around with $69 million a year now devoted to Chase and Higgins, defensive end Trey Hendrickson made his frustrations about a lack of a new contract known on the Pat McAfee Show.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans laugh as Trey Hendrickson calls out the Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hendrickson has more than outperformed his four-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, amassing 57 sacks over the last four seasons. Even his $21 million extension for 2025 pales in comparison to what edge rushers of his caliber are making.
On the Pat McAfee Show, the 2024 NFL sack leader expressed his frustrations surrounding the lack of communication from the team.
The Bengals have sent a clear message that they want their offense to be the identity of the team. No matter how good QB Joe Burrow and his receivers are, they can't make up for a bottom-five defense.
The Bengals were that bad last year with Hendrickson. Imagine what they could look like without him hunting down QBs at an elite level.
The Steelers meanwhile lack the firepower on offense to get over the hump, but they consistently reward their best players when they prove themselves worthy. They even showed more willingness to pay top money on outside additions with the D.K. Metcalf trade and subsequent extension.The fact that the Bengals have a franchise QB and still can't consistently win should be baffling, but is it? They have long been a team that has failed to make noise in the playoffs, and outside of a surprise Super Bowl run, have yet to do so with Burrow under center.
Unless they can suddenly draft extremely well on defense over the next few years, they could easily struggle to consistently make the playoffs in a tough AFC.
The Steelers at least have the excuse of lacking a franchise QB.
