In a passionate defense of his teammate, Joe Burrow has made it crystal clear: Trey Hendrickson deserves to be compensated fairly based on market value.

As the offseason kicked off, Burrow expressed his desire for the Bengals to secure new contracts for key players, including Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Mike Gesicki, and, of course, Hendrickson. While Cincinnati has successfully locked in three out of the four on his wish list, Hendrickson remains unhappy with his current deal, which is set to pay him $15.8 million in base salary in 2025. He recently made headlines by declaring he wouldn’t play under this contract.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Burrow reiterated his support for Hendrickson. 'Everyone knows how I feel about Trey. He’s an incredible player and a fantastic guy. He brings his A-game every Sunday and deserves to be rewarded accordingly,' Burrow stated, emphasizing that Hendrickson should receive what he believes he deserves in the current market.

Burrow also acknowledged Hendrickson’s proactive approach to his own career, saying, 'I think he’s doing what’s best for him, and I fully support that. He’s a smart guy, and he knows what he's doing.'

Adding to the intrigue, Hendrickson recently stirred the pot by showing up to a Bengals Phase II workout in street clothes and engaging with the media for nearly half an hour. Burrow noted that he and Hendrickson have kept in touch, though communication has slowed recently.

'He was back here last week, and it was thrilling to see him. He brought a fantastic energy and was happy to reconnect with everyone,' Burrow shared. 'Trey is one of the most distinctive individuals I've ever met, and that uniqueness fuels his greatness on the field.'