At Bengals minicamp (June 2025), Joe Burrow is 100% healthy and firing on all cylinders, but star DE Trey Hendrickson is a no-show. What's next?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The vibes at the Kettering Health Practice Fields are electric, and for good reason. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Cincinnati Bengals are entering a summer session with Joe Burrow at 100%. Gone are the days of watching him cautiously rehab on the sidelines. As mandatory minicamp kicked off Tuesday, No. 9 was back to his MVP-caliber self, fresh off a career year and looking ready to lead this team on another deep playoff run. But as one star shines brightly, a dark cloud looms: the team's best pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, is nowhere to be found.
One franchise player is 100% healthy and firing lasers. The other is 100% absent, creating the biggest drama of the Bengals' offseason.
Let's just take a moment to appreciate this. After a tense offseason last year watching Joe Burrow recover from wrist surgery, seeing him at full strength on day one of minicamp is a sight for sore eyes. The Bengals' social media team dropped some highlight clips, and it's exactly what fans have been dreaming of: crisp throws, confident movement, and the swagger of a quarterback in complete command. His full participation from the get-go sets a completely different tone for the entire offense as they prepare for the 2025 season.
While Burrow was connecting with his receivers, the team's defensive leader was conspicuously absent. Trey Hendrickson, who has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with his current contract, is officially holding out from mandatory minicamp. This isn't OTAs; this is mandatory. Hendrickson has made it clear he won't play this season on his current deal, and his absence today turns a contract dispute into a full-blown crisis. The Bengals' pass rush is the heart of Lou Anarumo's defense, and the thought of entering the season without the man who consistently terrorizes opposing quarterbacks is a chilling one for the Who Dey Nation.
The questions don't stop with the defensive line. In the secondary, safety Dax Hill was present but limited as he continues his long rehabilitation from a season-ending ACL injury. His recovery is a key storyline to watch. Whispers around the facility suggest that once healthy, Hill could be the leading candidate for the primary slot corner role, a position of need. His versatility is his greatest asset, but his availability remains the biggest question. His progress through training camp will be critical in shaping the look of the defensive backfield.
With minicamp underway, the Bengals also released a roster overview, giving fans a glimpse into the depth chart. Beyond the headline-grabbing stories, this period is crucial for players battling for roster spots and starting roles. The offensive line configuration, the pecking order at tight end, and the depth in the receiver room are all areas to watch closely. These next few days will provide the coaching staff with invaluable data before the team breaks for the summer.
Day one is in the books, and the narrative for the Bengals' summer is set. The optimism surrounding a healthy Joe Burrow is real and palpable, but it's tempered by the serious situation with Trey Hendrickson. Over the next two days of minicamp and the long break before training camp, all eyes will be on the front office to see if they can resolve the standoff with their star pass rusher. The Bengals have the talent to compete for a championship, but realizing that potential may depend on getting all their key pieces back in the building.
