'I dare you to go pay him!' — 4-time NFL All-Pro pokes fun at Bengals amid Trey Hendrickson drama

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated May 18, 2025 7:14 PM ET

The Trey Hendrickson saga isn't exactly what the Cincinnati Bengals want to do deal with at the moment. Hendrickson continuing to take his frustration to the public isn't doing either side any favors, and the All-Pro defensive end won't be practicing with the team any time soon.

Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh Steelers don't it mind at all. The more drama happening with an AFC North rival, the better for the rest of the division.

Things are at a point where it's become very easy to pile on for the fun of it.

Upon reacting to Pittsburgh's 2025 regular season schedule and the Steelers' Week 7 matchup against Cincinnati, Heyward was asked for his opinion on the Bengals' ongoing situation with Hendrickson and entertained with an answer.

"They don't have enough money," Heyward said. "I dare you to go pay him!"

Cincinnati's made plenty of contractual headlines this offseason after working out major extensions for wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both players will take home at least $35 million in cash this year, combining for a 2025 payout of $77,070,000.

The Bengals, of course, have enough money available to also reward Hendrickson with an extension of his own. The situation at hand revolves entirely around value rather than improbabilities.

That seems to be how Heyward really views it judging on the second-half of his answer.

Cincinnati is a tougher opponent for Pittsburgh to face when Hendrickson is on the field. He had 3.5 sacks in Week 18's regular season finale in Acrisure Stadium, a game the Bengals needed to win in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

There's no reason why Heyward would want his Steelers to run into that again this season, and he knows it. But while Hendrickson's team bides its time with this pressing dilemma, Heyward has all the clearance to throw shade back down the Ohio River. The 4-time All-Pro defensive tackle knows Cincinnati is a tough competitor regardless.

"Joe Burrow doesn't make it easy," Heyward said. "He's got Tee Higgins. He's got Jamar Chase. I know they changed some things on the o-line, but you know, always gonna have our work cut out."

Right now, it's the Bengals who have their work cut out for them in getting Hendrickson back in the fold.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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